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1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

SPANISH  JOHN 


■\ 


r — 


mmmim^ 


"^T"<P  nam 


1^ 


[S«e  p.  M. 


'I  KNELT  AND  KISSED   HIS  HAND  WITH  MY  HEABT  ON 

MY  lips" 


SPANISH   JOHN 

Being  a  Memoir,  now  first  published  in  complete fwm^of 

the  Early  Life  and  Adventures  of  Colonel  John 

McJDonell,  known  as  "  Spanish  John,'^  when 

a  Lieutenant  in  the  Company  of  St.  James 

of  the  Regiment  Jrlandia,  in  the 

Service  of  the  King  of  Spain 

operating  in  Italy 


BT 

WILLIAM  McLennan 

ILLUSTRATED 
BY  F.  DE  MYRBACH 


NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 

HARPBR  &  BROTHERS  PUBLISHERS 

TORONTO*  THE  COPP,  CLARK  COMPANY,  LIMITED 

1898 


1S1179 


Copyright.  ,897,  by  Ha»»k  &  Bmothm.. 

W//  nif/t/x  reserved. 


TO 

MY   FATHER 

THW  RKSCLT  or  LONG   TALKS  07ER  OLD  DATB 
OtD  MANNIR8,  AND  OLD  IflCMOftlKS 


CONTENTS 


How  Angus  McDonald  of  Clanranald  and  I  set  out  for 
the  Scots  College  in  Rome  ;  how  we  fell  in  with  Mr. 
O'Rourke  and  Manuel,  the  Jew,  and  with  the  latter 
saw  strange  company  in  Leghorn ;  how  we  were  pre- 
sented to  Captain  Creach,  "  of  the  Regiment  Irlandia," 
at  the  Inn  of  Aquapendente,  and  what  befel  there- 
after   Pagei 

II 

How,  out  of  a  school-boy's  quarrel,  it  came  that  I  kissed 
the  hands  of  His  Majesty,  James  III.;  that  I  met  with 
H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  other  company,  both 
high  and  low,  until,  from  one  thing  to  another,  I  took 
leave  of  my  Books  to  follow  the  Drum    ....    47 


III 

Of  the  soldiering  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  did  in  the  Regi- 
ment Trlnndia  together ;  how  we  fared  at  the  Battle  of 

V 


CONTENXS 

Velletri,  and  until  the  army  divided  under  the  walls  of 
Rome,  during  which  time  I  won  more  than  one  pro- 
motion     Page  93 

IV 

How  we  met  old  friends  and  an  older  enemy  in  Rome 
with  whom  I  was  forced  to  subscribe  to  a  Truce, 
having  passed  my  word  to  the  Duke  of  York ;  how 
it  came  that  I  resigned  from  the  Company  of  St. 
James 139 


How  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  met  with  the  Duke  of  York, 
who  charged  me  with  a  secret  mission  towards  Prince 
Charles;  of  our  voyage  to  Scotland,  and  the  dismal 
tidings  that  there  met  us 156 

VI 

How  we  supped  with  a  thief ,  and  the  outcome  thereof  .  181 

VII 

How  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  fell  in  with  broken  men  and 
saw  the  end  of  a  Lost  Cause 199 


VIII 

How  I  fared  in  my  attempt  to  recover  the  stolen  money ; 
and  how  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  came  face  to  face 
yrith  unlooked-for  company  in  the  Inn  at  Portree   31d 


COXTKxVTjiJ 


IX 


How  Father  O'Rourke  kept  the  Black  Pass ;  of  the  es- 
cape of  the  Priuce  and  my  owu  mischance  that  fol- 
lowed  ;  but  of  how  the  Day  of  Reckoning  l)etween  me 
and  Creach  came  at  last p^gg  343 


J 


V  •-  r. 


^   t 


ILLUSTEATIONS 


*'  I  KNELT  AND  KISSED  IIT9  HAND  WITH  MY 
HEART   ON   MY   LIPS  " 


( i 


M 


IN   BURST  MR.  O  ROURKE 
"I  GAVE  HIM  A  boy's  PUNISHMENT"     .      . 
"  '  TELL    ME,    SIR,    WHAT    DID    YOU    COME 

HERB  FOR?'   HE  STORMED"      .      .      .      . 
•'I    COULD    NOT    HELP    STRUTTING    AS   WE 

PASSED  THE  FASHIONABLES "  .      .      .      . 
'"THE    DAY    WE    BEAT    THE   GERMANS    AT 

CREMONA  !'" 

*'  THERE  WE  STOOD,  WITH  OUR  PALE  FACES" 
"THERE    THE    GOOD    MAN    SATE,    HOLDING 

ME  IN  HIS  arms" 

"  I  SAW  CREACH  ADVANCE  TOWARDS  MB  "  . 
"'gentlemen!  GLASSES  all  r  "  .  .  .  . 
"THEN  FATHER  O'rOURKE  SPAKE "  .  .  . 
"  '  WILL  NEVER  RETURN  TO  SAY  THEY  SAW 

ME  GO  TO  MY  DEATH  ALONE*"  .      .      , 
"  '  FINE     WORDS  !      BRAVE     WORDS  I'      HE 

sneered" 

"THE    LAST   STAND   FOR  PRINCB   CHARLES 

WAS  AT   AN  END" 

ix 


Pronti 

apiece. 

Facing  page    40 

"      50 

"      86 

"      90 

"      94 

"    102 

"    122 

"    134 

"    148 

"    164 

"    176 

"    196 

"    212 

fl 


! 


^1 


ILLUSTUATIONS 

"THERE  !   THAT  18  CROWLIN" Facit^ page  21(i 

"MANY  WAS  THE  PLEASANT  TALK  HE  HAD 

WITH  MY  FATHER" "        "220 

"  SHE  STOOD  ON  HER  WAY  TOWARDS  FRANCE 

AND  SAFETY" "       "248 

•"GIVE  UP  YOUR  SWORD  LIKE  A  GENTLE- 
MAN!"  "       "252 

"HE  WAS  FIGHTING  FOR  TIME"  ....       "       "     268 


"--,,,--,  .^„^^xrM.t,.-jm 


SPANISH   JOHN 


I 

1740 


How  Angus  McDonald  of  Clanranald  and  I  set  out  for 
the  Scots  College  in  Rome  ;  how  we  fell  in  with  Mr 
O'Rourke  and  Manuel  the  Jew,  and  with  the  latter 
saw  strange  company  in  Leghorn  ;  how  we  were  pre- 
sented to  Captain  Creach,  "  of  the  Regiment  Irlandia," 
at  the  Inn  of  Aquapendente,  and  what  befel  thereafter, 

"Hoot!"  snorted  my  Uncle  Scottos,  with 
much  contempt,  "  make  a  lad  like  that  into  a 
priest !  Look  at  the  stuff  there  is  in  him  for  a 
soldier!" 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  roared : 
"  Here,  mogh  Radhan  dubh !  (my  little  black 
darling),  shew  your  father  how  you  can  say 
your  Pater-noster  with  a  single -stick!"  At 
which  he  caught  up  a  stout  rod  for  himself, 
and,  throwing  me  a  lighter  one,  we  saluted, 
and  at  it  we  went  hammer  and  tongs. 


SPA  N  !S||     JOHiV 

I  suppose  ray  Uncle  was  a  bit  discomposed 
with  his  argument,  for  he  was  one  ill  to  bear 
contradiction,  even  in  thought,  and  so  forgot  I 
was  but  a  lad,  for  he  pushed  me  hard,  making 
rae  fairly  wince  under  his  shrewd  cuts,  and 
ruffling  me  with  his  half  -  angry  shouts  of 
"Mind  your  guard!"  each  time  he  got  in  at 
me,  until  before  long  the  punishment  was  so 
severe   I   was  out  of   breath,  my  wrist  half 


«" 


broken,  and  I  w^as  forced  to  cry  "Pax 
Indeed,  I  was  so  ruffled  I  made  but  a  poor 
shewing,  and  my  father  laughed  heartily  at 
my  discomfiture 

"Well,  well,  Donald,"  he  said,  in  reply  to 
my  Uncle's  argument,  "  I'll  at  least  promise 
you  his  schooling  will  not  be  any  harder  than 
that  you  would  put  him  at." 

"  Perhaps  not,"  answered  my  Uncle,  still  in 
some  little  heat,  "but  mine  is  at  least  the 
schooling  of  a  gentleman !  However,  thank 
God,  they  cannot  take  that  out  of  him  in 
Rome,  whatever  else  they  may  stuff  into  him. 
Man !  man !"  he  broke  out  again,  after  a  mo- 
ment's pause,  "  but  you're  wasting  the  making 
of  a  pretty  soldier !" 

And  he  looked  so  gallant  as  he  stood  there 

8 


Sl^ANMSH    .)OHX 


before  the  big  fireplace,  full  of  scorn  for  the 
ignoble  fate  he  dreaded  might  be  in  store  for 
me,  that  ray  heart  swelled  with  a  great  pity 
for  myself,  and  for  my  father  too,  who  shoukl 
be  so  bent  on  sending  me  to  Itome,  so  fai* 
awav  from  mv  Uncle,  who  knew  so  many 
pretty  turns  with  the  sword  1  might  learn 
from  no  other,  and  so  many  songs  I  might 
never  sing  now. 

For  I  worshipped  my  Uncle,  Donald  McDon- 
ell  of  Scottos,  but  always  known  as  "  Scottos," 
as  is  our  custom  ;  he  was  called  The  Younger, 
not  to  belittle  him,  but  because  my  Grand- 
father, old  ^neas  of  Scottos,  was  still  alive. 
He  had  been  in  France  and  Spain  and  Italy, 
first  as  a  cadet  and  afterwards  as  ensign  in 
Colonel  Walter  Burke's  regiment  of  foot,  one 
of  the  regiments  of  the  Irish  Brigade  serving 
under  the  Duke  of  Berwick,  and  many  a  night 
have  I  been  kept  awake  with  his  stories  of 
their  engagements  at  Cremona,  Alicant,  Bar- 
celona, and  other  places — how  they  beat,  and 
sometimes  how  thev  were  beaten — till  I  knew 
the  different  Dillons  and  Butlers  and  McDon- 
ells  and  O'Rourkes,  and  other  gentlemen  of 
the  regiment,  not  only  by  name,  but  as  though 

8 


SPANISH    JOHX 

I  had  met  with  thera  face  to  face.  He  had  no 
great  love  for  the  Church,  for  he  hated  the 
sight  of  a  priest,  and  was  continually  rail- 
ing against  my  being  sent  to  Rome  lest  they 
should  make  a  '*  Black  Petticoat ''  of  me. 

"That  'a  McDonell  must  be  either  a  soldier 
or  a  priest'  may  be  a  very  good  saying  in 
its  vvay,"  he  went  on  to  my  father,  for  there 
was  no  interruption  in  their  talk,  '*  but  mark 
you  which  comes  first  I  If  all  our  forebears 
had  bred  but  little  shavelings,  and  no  soldiers, 
where  would  the  McDonell  family  be  now, 
think  vou?  'Tis  not  in  reason  vou  should 
give  up  your  one  son  for  the  sake  of  an  old 
saw.  like  enough  made  b^"  some  priest  himself. 
If  one  of  mine  chooses  to  take  to  it,  he  will 
not  be  missed  out  of  the  flock;  but  depend 
upon  it,  brother,  God  never  gave  you  tliis 
one  to  waste  in  this  wav.  Let  me  train  him 
until  he  is  ready  to  go  abroad  into  the  service, 
and  I'll  answer  lor  it  to  stand  him  in  better 
stead  than  all  the  fingle  -  fangle  whimseys 
thev'll  teach  him  in  Rome  I" 

But  my  father  only  smiled  in  his  quiet  way, 
and  said  in  his  low,  soft  voice,  so  different  from 
my  Uncle's : 

4 


SPANISH    .10  UN 

"  Donald,  Donald,  you  witch  the  lad  !  You 
have  my  word  that  when  the  time  comes  he 
shall  be  free  in  his  choice;  but,  priest  or 
soldier,  he'll  be  no  worse  the  gentleman  for  a 
little  of  the  book-learning  you  make  so  light 
of.  Now,  say  good  -  bye  to  your  Uncle,  lad, 
and  we'll  be  oflf." 

As  we  rode  homewards,  I  on  the  saddle  be- 
fore him,  my  father  talked  all  the  way  of 
what  my  going  to  Rome  would  really  mean. 
He  told  me  of  the  Scots  College  there,  what  it 
looked  like,  where  his  room  was — "  and  there, 
if  they  have  not  whitewashed  the  wall,  Sho- 
naidh,  which  may  well  be  the  case,  you'll  find 
written  near  the  head  of  my  bed : 

"  '  Half  ower,  half  ower  to  Aberdour, 
'Tis  fifty  fathoms  deep  ; 
And  there  lies  gude  Sir  Patrick  Spens, 
With  the  Scots  lords  at  his  feet.' 


That  I  wrote  one  afternoon  at  the  siesta  when 
my  heart  was  big  and  I  was  wearying  for  home, 
as  you  may  do,  and  I  thought  I  heard  my 
mother  singing,  and  wrote  down  the  old  words 
for  my  comfort.  Perhaps  you'll  find  them 
there  still,"  he  added,  slowly,  as  if  he  were 

0 


SPANISH    JOUX 


back  in  the  old  days  rather  than  talking 
to  me. 

"And,  Shonaidh,"  he  went  on,  after  a  little, 
"just  when  your  heart  fails  you  is  the  time  to 
play  the  soldier  as  truly  as  if  you  had  a  broad- 
sword in  your  hand.  Homesick  you'll  be — I'd 
be  sorry  for  you  if  you  were  not — but  remem- 
ber, I  went  through  it  all  before  you,  and, 
though  I  have  done  nothing  for  it,  my  time  in 
the  old  Scots  College  was  the  best  gift  my 
father  ever  gave  me.  If  God  wills  it,  you  will 
be  a  priest,  but  neither  I  nor  yet  the  Rector 
will  force  you.  You  are  going  under  the  care 
of  one  of  the  best  of  men,  a  nobleman  and  one 
whose  slightest  w^ord  you  should  be  proud  to 
treasure;  and,  remember,  the  first  duty  of  a 
gentleman  who  would  some  day  command  is 
to  learn  to  obey." 

And  so  on  as  we  rode ;  he  told  me  much, 
much  more  than  I  had  ever  known,  of  all  he 
had  done  and  all  he  had  hoped  to  do  as  a  boy, 
but  he  had  given  up  his  own  plans  that  his 
brother  Scottos  might  go  to  serve  under  the 
Duke  of  Berwick  in  Spain ;  how,  though  he 
had  borne  himself  therein  as  a  brave  and 
gallant  gentleman,  the  fighting  abroad  had 

« 


SPANISH    J  O  II  N 

brought  nothing  to  those  at  home,  and,  after 
the  disappointment  of  1715,  how  he  had  no 
longer  heart  for  foreign  service,  for  he  was 
committed  to  the  Royal  Cause  beyond  every- 
thing, and  so  remained  at  home  in  spite  of 
danger,  hoping  for  the  day  when  the  King 
would  come  again. 

He  warned  me  that  I  must  not  make  too 
much  of  my  Uncle's  railings  against  the 
Church,  for  he  had  seen  many  things  in  Spain 
that  were  in  a  measure  hard  to  see,  and,  what- 
ever were  his  words,  he  was  a  good  son  of  the 
Church,  and  in  his  heart  did  not  believe  his 
own  sayings  —  which  made  me  wonder,  I  re- 
member, why  my  father  should  so  punish  me 
for  lying — and  so  on  until  we  reached  Crowlin, 
as  our  house  was  known. 


It  was  in  the  month  of  August  when  I  left 
home,  I  being  just  twelve  years  of  age,  and 
Angus  McDonald  of  Clanranald,  who  was  to 
be  my  comrade,  fourteen.  He  was  a  much 
bigger  lad  than  I,  and  at  home  could  handle 
me  readily  enough,  but  from  being  so  much 
with  my  Uncle  Scottos,  who  was  never  done 
talking  of  what  he  had  seen  in  foreign  parts, 

7 


SPANISH    JOHN 


!l 

Hi 


I  was  in  a  measure  travelled,  and  no  sooner 
wore  we  out  of  the  country  than  Angus  gave 
the  lead  to  me,  whicli  1  kept  in  all  the  years 
we  were  together. 

My  Grandfather,  ^^neas  of  Scottos,  gave  me 
his  blessing  and  a  bright  new  guinea  and  much 
good  advice;  my  father  kissed  me  fondly, 
and,  with  many  a  direction  for  the  road,  gave 
me  a  letter  to  Father  Urbani,  the  Rector  in 
Rome ;  my  sister  Margaret  hung  about  ray 
neck  and  refused  to  be  comfoi-ted ;  but  at  last, 
with  a  cousin  of  Clanranald's  and  a  party  of 
their  people,  we  started  Utv  Edinburgh. 

My  Uncle  Scottos  rode  with  us  as  far  as 
Inchlaggan,  and  when  we  said  good-bye  he 
commanded  me.  sternly,  ''  Don't  let  them 
make  a  little  priest  of  you,  Shonaidh,  or  I'll 
baste  you  with  a  wooden  sword  when  you 
come  home!"  Then  he  swore  somewhat  in 
Spanish  and  kissed  me  on  both  cheeks,  and 
rode  off  with  his  head  down,  waving  his  hand 
at  the  top  of  the  hill,  though  he  never  looked 
back. 

Our  stay  in  Edinburgh  with  Bishop  Hay, 
and  our  journe}'^  to  Boulogne  and  thence  to 


'^4. 


SPAN  1^5  II    JOHN 


Father  Innes,  of  the  Scots  College  in  Paris, 
with  whom  we  lodged  for  three  weeks,  pro- 
duced nothing  of  interest;  indeed,  we  did  not 
fall  in  with  mucli  I  can  now  recall  until  we 
drove  into  Marseilles  jind  were  there  lodged 
in  the  house  of  the  Benedictins. 

Here  we  saw  much  to  wonder  at — soldiers 
in  uniforms,  sailors  in  petticoats,  galley-slaves 
in  chains,  Jews  in  gabardines,  and  others 
dressed  in  such  outlandish  habits  we  could  not 
help  staring  at  them,  though  had  we  worn  our 
own  llif!:hland  clothes  I  do  not  believe  anv 
would  have  remarked  on  us;  and  we  heard,  I 
doubt  not,  every  language  on  earth  save  t!ie 
Gaelic,  which  is  but  little  spread  beyond  the 
Highlands. 

A  more  lively  people  than  the  Marseillais 
would  be  hard  to  meet.  On  the  quay  one 
evening  we  marked  a  fellow  carrying  some- 
thing like  a  long,  narrow  drum,  which  he 
tapped  with  his  fingers  as  he  strolled.  Pres- 
ently he  stopped  at  a  clear  space,  and,  drawing 
a  little  pipe  from  under  his  arm,  began  to  play 
both  instruments  at  once  cleverly  enough. 
Hardly  had  he  begun  before  the  crowd  gath- 
ered round,  and  on  some  lusty  fellow  setting 

9 


SPANISH    JOHN 

up  a  shout  and  leaping  into  the  middle  of  the 
space  and  holding  forth  his  hand,  it  was  caught 
by  one,  who  in  turn  invited  another,  and  then 
another,  while  from  the  tavern  opposite  rushed 
men  and  women  fairly  tumbling  over  one  an- 
other in  their  haste,  laughing  and  shouting  as 
they  came,  till  all  were  at  it,  footing  it  merrily 
as  they  swung  in  and  out  and  twisted  and 
turned  in  a  long  tail.  Round  the  posts,  jump- 
ing over  the  ropes  that  held  the  vessels  fast, 
then  across  the  street  and  into  the  tavern  by 
one  door  and  out  at  another  into  the  street 
again,  with  such  mad  laughing  and  singing  and 
holding  forth  of  hands  that  Angus  and  I  could 
stand  it  no  longer,  and  so  caught  hold  ;  and, 
though  we  could  speak  no  word  of  their  lan- 
guage, we  could  laugh  as  hard  in  English  and 
give  as  wild  skreighs  in  Gaelic  and  foot  it  as 
lightly  as  any  of  them.  It  w^as  a  grand  ploy, 
and  only  ended  when  we  were  all  out  of  breath. 


Provided  with  money  sufficient  to  carry  us 

to  Rome,  we  took  passage  for  Leghorn,  or  Li- 

vorno,  as  they  call  it,  in  a  fair-sized  barque,  but 

the  dirt  and  the  evil  smells  on  board  disgusted 

us  beyond  measure,  and  we  almost  longed  for 

10 


SPANISH    JOHN 


the  bone  -  breaking  coaches  again.  However, 
we  were  not  long  aboard  before  we  fell  in 
with  a  tall,  decent  man,  a  Mr.  O'Rourke  by 
name,  who  was  an  Irishman,  on  his  way  to 
finish  his  studies  as  a  priest  at  the  Propaganda 
in  Rome,  but  the  merriest  and  best-natured 
man  I  had  ever  seen.  He  was  bigger  and 
broader  and  had  a  greater  hand  and  foot  than 
any  one  else  on  board. 

He  laughed  at  our  touchiness  at  what  he 
called  "  a  few  smells." 

"A  few  smells,  sir?"  said  I — "it  seems  to 
me  they  are  fairly  crowding  one  another  so 
close  there's  but  little  room  for  any  more." 

"  Oh,  isn't  there  ?  It  strikes  me  3^ou  have 
never  put  your  nose  inside  a  Roman  osteria 
on  a  wet  day  in  July !  Until  then,  my  lad, 
you  are  not  qualified  to  speak  of  smells  in  the 
plural.  And  let  me  tell  both  of  you,"  he  went 
on,  after  he  had  finished  laughing,  "  you  had 
best  get  your  noses  into  training  at  once,  for 
if  they  are  going  to  cock  up  at  every  stink 
that  comes  under  them  you'll  be  blowing  them 
over  the  backs  of  your  heads  before  long, 
unless  you  do  like  the  elephant  and  carry 
them  in  your  trunk."     Which  we  took  to  be 

11 


SPANISH    JOHN 


1    ! 


an  excellent  jest,  the  more  so  as  we  found  by 
evening  he  had  two  hammocks  swung  for  us 
on  deck  near  the  round-house.  The  weather 
was  so  mild  and  the  cabins  so  unbearable  that 
most  of  the  passengers  followed  our  example, 
and  even  in  the  bow  was  one  solitary  old  man, 
who  now  and  then  had  to  put  up  with  a  douse 
of  salt  water  when  the  barque  dipped  deeper 
than  ordinary. 

The  next  day  we  made  a  closer  acquaintance 
with  our  fellow  -  passengers,  most  of  whom 
w^ere  but  fearful  sailors  with  but  little  stom- 
ach for  anything  off  an  even  keel.  In  the 
cabin  with  us  and  Mr.  O'Rourke  were  an  Ital- 
ian Count  and  his  lady,  some  priests,  and  a 
Spaniard  named  Don  Diego,  with  whom  we 
soon  made  friends,  though  he  was  ignorant  of 
both  English  and  French,  and  had  no  Gaelic ; 
but  we  could  get  in  a  Latin  word  or  two,  and 
we  laughed  much  and  made  signs  for  the  rest. 
Mr.  O'Rourke  we  found  to  be  of  the  same 
family  as  the  gallant  Major  O'Rourke  who 
was  killed  at  Alcoy,  in  Spain,  under  the  Count 
O'Mahon}^  which  I  knew  of  through  my  Un- 
cle Scottos,  who  was  an  ensign  there  at  the 
time ;  this  made  us  fast  friends,  and  I  told 


SPAXISil    JOHN 


him  much  of  the  Regiment  Irlandia  and  the 
Irish  Brigade  of  which  he  was  ignorant. 

But  we  came  near  to  falling  out  at  tl>e  very 
beginning  of  our  friendship,  which  happened 
in  this  way.  Being  that  day  with  Angus  up 
in  the  bow  of  the  barque  to  mark  the  play  of 
the  waves,  I  was  ti'ying  some  little  French  on 
the  old  man,  who  was  still  crouched  there  mis- 
erable enough,  when  up  comes  Mr.  O'Rourke 
and,  without  preface  or  apology,  breaks  in 
upon  us,  taking  no  more  notice  of  the  poor 
ohl  man  than  if  he  had  been  a  dog. 

"Do  3'^ou  know  who  you  are  talking  to?" 
says  he,  in  a  loud,  hectoring  style  of  voice,  and 
raps  out  before  I  can  answer:  "This  man's  a 
Jew  !  A  Jew  !"  he  says,  and  spits  on  the  deck 
as  if  he  had  a  bad  smell  by  him. 

"  I  don't  care  if  he's  a  camel !"  says  I,  much 
nettled  at  his  tone. 

"  No  more  would  T,"  says  he,  "  for  then  he'd 
be  where  he  deserves,  wandering  about  in  the 
Desert." 

"Mr.  O'Rourke,  when  I  get  to  Rome  I'll  be 
under  a  master,  but  until  then  I  am  answer- 
able to  no  one  save  myself,  and  I'll  thank  j'^ou 
to  leave  me  in  peace  to  such  company  as  I 

13 


li 


SPANISH    JOHN 

may  choose,"  I  returned,  making  a  mighty 
strong  inflection  on  my  words.  He  moved 
away,  laughing. 

I  was  only  a  foolish  boy,  so  his  laughing 
hurt  me  more  than  his  anger,  and  had  he  taken 
no  notice  I  dare  say  I  would  have  thought  lit- 
tle more  of  the  Jew  than  of  an3^  other  on 
board ;  but  now,  part  from  curiosity — perhaps, 
too,  part  from  mulishness,  of  which  I  had  my 
share  when  a  boy — but  afterwards  from  a  per- 
sonal feeling,  I  was  kept  nearer  the  old  man 
than  would  otherwise  have  happened. 

True,  my  Uncle  Scottos  had  no  great  soft- 
ness for  the  Jews  while  in  Spain — no  more  had 
he  for  the  priests,  for  that  matter — but  this  was 
the  first  I  had  ever  fallen  in  with,  and  the 
old  man  was  so  uncomplaining  and  gentle  I 
felt  I  was  taking  his  side,  and  that  ended  it. 
His  name  was  Manuel,  and  he  was  a  Portugal 
by  nation,  but  lived  in  Leghorn,  about  which 
he  told  me  much.  As  to  his  business,  I  cared 
but  little — as  he  could  not  be  a  gentleman  in 
the  nature  of  things,  his  occupation  was  a  mat- 
ter of  indifference  to  me.  So,  in  spite  of  the 
laughter  of  many,  and  Mr.  O'Rourke's  gibes 

about  my  visits  to  the  "  Ghetto,"  as  he  called 

14 


SPANISH    .10  JIN 

tlie  bow  of  the  barque  where  the  poor  old 
man  was,  I  never  missed  a  day  without  a  visit 
to  him,  and  learned  much  that  was  useful  to 
me  afterwards. 


We  now  met  with  some  heavy  weather,  and 
were  so  knocked  about  on  the  third  day  that, 
as  these  coasters  are  not  very  venturesome, 
our  captain  thought  it  prudent  to  put  back 
into  Toulon,  where  we  anchored  in  the  midst 
of  the  fleet  of  the  King  of  France  there  lying. 

The  next  day  we  were  eager  to  get  on  shore, 
though  it  was  blowing  hard,  but  were  dis- 
suaded by  Mr.  O'Rourke.  However,  the  Jew 
and  a  Cordelier  friar  resolved  to  risk  it  with  a 
crew  of  six  sailors,  who  ballasted  the  ship's 
boat  with  some  spare  guns;  but  hardly  had 
they  got  up  sail  before  the  boat  was  overset 
and  all  were  thrown  into  the  water. 

The  first  to  lay  hold  of  the  boat  was  the 
Cordelier,  who  scrambled  up  on  the  keel,  fol- 
lowed by  the  sailors,  who  pulled  their  fellows 
up  one  after  another.  All  this  time  I  was  in 
an  agony  of  fear  for  the  Jew,  who,  though  he 
laid  hold  of  the  boat,  was  so  old  and  feeble  he 
could  not  draw  himself  up,  and  no  one  so  much 

IS 


SPANISH    JOHN 


\  \ 


as  stretched  out  a  hand  to  his  aid.  Worse  ihan 
this,  the  ship's  company  and  crew  screamed 
with  laughter  at  each  new  struggle  he  made, 
as  if  it  were  the  merriest  game  in  the  world. 
Meantime  the  unfortunates  were  fast  drifting 
into  the  offing,  and  would  infallibly  have  been 
borne  out  to  sea  had  not  a  Spanish  zebec  made 
sail  and  succeeded  in  overhauling  and  picking 
them  up. 

Then,  though  I  was  shaking  with  fright,  I 
turned  to  and  thrashed  Angus  McDonald  for 
his  laughing  with  the  others  until  he  cried 
mercy. 

"  A  pretty  Christian  you  are  to  be  going  to 
Rome  and  laughing  at  a  man  as  old  as  my 
grandfather !"  I  admonished  him,  when  I  had 
finished. 

"  Pough  !"  snorted  he,  still  angry.  "  Mr. 
O'Rourke  says  Jews  have  no  souls !" 

"  Indeed  ?"  said  I.  "  Mr.  O'Rourke  had  bet- 
ter be  looking  after  his  own,  and  make  certain 
of  it,  before  he  is  so  sure  about  other  people." 
And  off  I  stalked,  mighty  indignant  and  mighty 
hot  against  Mr.  O'Rourke,  who  but  laughed 
merrily  at  my  saying. 

However,  the  next  day  we  made  it  all  up 


tsmmam 


Si/AiNlSIl    JOHN 

again  on  his  asking  me  and  Angus  to  accom- 
pany him  and  Don  Diego  on  shore  at  his  ex- 
pense; and  the  Jew  now  being  out  of  sight, 
I  could  not  hold  my  anger  long,  while  Mr. 
O'Rourke  mended  my  pride  by  telling  me  I 
had  surprised  him  in  the  handsome  outcome 
of  my  attack  on  Angus.  .Of  course  Angus 
and  I  needed  no  making  up  whatever,  for  he 
could  generally  thrash  me  twice  to  my  once. 

So,  with  Mr.  O'Rourke  and  Don  Diego,  we 
went  on  shore  and  rambled  about  merrily 
enough.  In  the  afternoon  we  were  strolling 
about  in  the  Place  d'Armes  waiting  for  Mr. 
O'Rourke  and  Don  Diego,  off  on  some  affairs 
of  their  own,  when  a  gentleman  passed  having 
on  the  greatest  wig  imaginable,  most  gener- 
ously powdered.  He  carried  his  hat  under  his 
arm  and  minced  in  his  walk  like  anv  madam, 
holding  his  long  cane  as  gingerly  as  a  dancing- 
master. 

Without  a  word,  Angus  pulled  a  handful  of 
nuts  from  his  pocket  and  flung  them  with  all 
his  might  at  the  great  wig,  which  gave  out  a 
burst  of  powder  like  a  gun  going  off.  Round 
wheeled  its  owner  and  was  after  us  with  a 
roar;  but  we  separated  and  ran  in  different 

B  17 


UlUiWIMIIIIillW*' 


SPANISH    JOHN 


i 

I'll 


ways,  making  for  the  lime-trees  along  the  edge 
of  the  Parade. 

We  dodged  round  the  trees,  and  the  one  of 
us  pursued  him  as  he  made  after  the  other; 
but  he  would  not  be  dissuaded  by  this,  and  kept 
after  me  until,  at  last,  1  began  to  lose  my  wind, 
and  shouted  to  Angus  for  help,  who,  however, 
could  do  nothing  against  an  angry  man  armed 
with  a  great  cane ;  and  I  began  to  grow  anx- 
ious in  my  mind,  when  who  should  come  up 
but  our  Spaniard,  who,  seizing  the  situation,  at 
once  turned  the  tables  completely  by  a  flank 
attack,  and  our  Frenchman  was  soon  left  la- 
menting, with  his  wig  up  a  tree,  his  cane  bro- 
ken, and  more  Spanish  oaths  ringing  in  his 
ears  than  I  dare  say  he  had  ever  heard  be- 
fore.  It  was  like  my  Uncle  Scottos  swear- 
ing. 

Off  we  went  post-haste  to  the  port,  where, 
on  entering  a  tavern,  being  mindful  of  my  ob- 
ligations as  a  gentleman,  I  ordered  and  paid 
for  a  bottle  of  wine  for  our  rescuer,  at  which 
he  was  greatly  pleased,  though,  like  most  of 
his  countrymen,  he  was  modest  enough  in  the 
use  ne  made  of  it.  The  little  he  did  take,  how- 
ever, was  sufiicient  to  warm  him  up,  when,  for- 

18 


\ 


SPANISH    JOHN 


he  edge 

!  one  of 
)  other ; 
nd  kept 
y  wind, 
owever, 
1  armed 
5W  anx- 
!ome  up 
it  ion,  at 
a  flank 

left  la- 
me bro- 
^  in  his 
jard  be- 

swear- 

,  where, 
my  ob- 
nd  paid 
t  which 
most  of 
h  in  the 
fe,  how- 
len,  for- 


getting we  did  not  know  a  word  of  what  he 
was  saying,  he  poured  out  a  long  rigmarole  to 
us  in  Spanish,  which  he  wound  up  by  whip- 
ping out  a  stiletto — a  long,  thin  dirk  much 
used  in  those  countries — and  gave  us  to  under- 
stand he  would  have  killed  the  Frenchman 
with  much  pleasure.  Not  content  with  this 
show  of  friendship,  he  pulled  out  a  purse,  very 
comfortably  filled,  and  offered  me  a  part ;  but 
I  refused  witli  my  best  manner,  and  with  the 
help  of  my  Latin  made  him  know  I  was  suf- 
ficiently supplied. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  friendship  and  wild 
talk  who  should  discover  us  but  Mr.  O'Rourke, 
who,  on  hearing  of  our  adventure,  broke  out, 
"  'Pon  my  soul,  but  this  is  a  pretty  jerryma- 
hoo  you  two  young  barbarians  have  started 
up!  You're  likely  to  have  the  peace-oificers 
down  on  you  before  you  can  say  Peter  Dono- 
van's prayer ;  and  'tis  proud  your  people  will 
be  of  you,  no  doubt,  to  have  you  beginning 
your  education  under  the  whip  in  a  French 
prison,  instead  of  under  the  holy  fathers  in 
Kome !"  And  with  that  he  hurried  us  off  in 
all  speed  to  a  boat,  in  a  white  fear  of  the  offi- 
cers, making  us  lie  down  in  the  bottom  until 

19 


Sl^ 


SPANISH    JOHN 

\vv  i\acliiMl  the  ship's  side,  when  we  lost  no 
time  ill  scrambling  on  board. 

We  toiind  we  were  the  last  passengers 
ashore,  and  on  Mr.  O'Rourke's  relating  to  the 
captain  our  adventure,  and  the  possibility  of 
our  being  followed,  he  had  up  the  anchor  even 
before  the  moon  rose,  and  we  were  on  our  way 
towards  Leghorn  again. 


The  rest  of  our  time  on  board  went  fast 
enough,  for  we  had  nearly  as  man}'  friends  as 
there  were  passengers.  Finding  I  had  begun 
my  education  in  fencing,  Don  Diego  gave  me 
lessons  in  the  Spanish  method,  of  which  I  was 
not  entirely  ignorant,  and  in  turn  I  shewed 
him  something  of  the  single-stick,  wherein  he 
was  altogether  lacking.  To  our  surprise,  Mr. 
O'Rourke  turned  out  to  have  no  small  skill 
with  both  single-stick  and  the  small-sword — a 
great  waste  of  education,  as  my  Uncle  Scottos 
would  have  said,  for  a  priest. 

Mr.  O'Rourke  now  left  me  to  ray  own  de- 
vices with  Manuel  the  Jew,  for  whom  T  was 
more  full  of  pity  than  ever,  as  he,  poor  miin ! 
had  not  got  over  the  effect  of  his  fright  and 
long  exposure  in  the  sea.      Not   a  soul  on 

20 


SPANISH    JOHN 


board,  save  myself  and  Angus,  ever  gave  him 
a  word,  unless  when  a  sailor  might  curse  at 
him  for  beina;  in  the  wav. 

I  was  much  exercised  in  my  mind  that  he 
never  seemed  to  eat  anything — he  certainly 
never  went  to  a  meal  with  tiie  other  passen- 
gers— and  the  only  reason  I  could  conceive  be- 
ing poverty,  I  proposed  to  Angus  we  should 
help  him  out  of  our  store,  to  which  he  at  once 
agreed,  provided  I  would  do  the  talking.  So 
one  day,  when  we  were  quite  alone,  after  a 
hard  fight  with  my  shamefacedness,  I  lugged 
out  my  purse  and  offered  him  what  I  thought 
needed  by  his  occasions. 

"  Put  up  your  purse,  my  dear  child  !  Put 
up  your  purse !  You  must  never  shew  your 
money  to  people  like  that,"  he  said,  anxiously ; 
and  then  seeing,  I  suppose,  my  disappointment, 
he  added,  speaking  very  slowh%  tliat  I  might 
understand :  "  My  child,  do  not  be  offended 
that  I  do  not  take  your  gold  ;  your  gift  to  me 
is  already  made  without  that,  and  in  my  heart 
I  repeat  the  words  of  the  Moabitess  and  ask, 
'  Why  have  I  found  grace  in  thine  eyes,  seeing 
1  am  a  stranger?' "  As  he  said  this  his  voice 
became  so  broken  I  looked  at  him  in  surprise, 

31 


SPANISH  jonx 

and  to  my  great  distress  saw  the  old  man 
was  crying.  Why,  I  did  not  clearly  under 
stand,  and  he  added  to  my  discomposure  by 
catching  up  my  hand,  kissing  it,  and  pressing 
it  to  his  bosom,  repeating  something  in  the 
Jews'  tongue,  and  saying  much  I  did  not  de- 
serve, in  French. 

So  we  continued  friends,  and  every  day 
Angus  and  I  sate  with  him  under  the  shade  of 
the  foresail  and  listened  to  his  stories  of  for- 
eign countries,  for  he  had  travelled  far  and 
took  a  pleasure  in  telling  of  the  wonders  he 
had  seen. 

At  last  we  sighted  the  port  of  Leghorn  (we 
were  not  in  reality  so  many  days  on  board  as 
I  may  have  led  you  to  suppose  in  my  telling, 
but  the  impression  left  on  me  is  of  a  long  time) 
— we  sighted  Leghorn,  1  say,  with  marvellous 
fine  quays  tilled  with  much  shipping,  tmd  the 
first  craft  that  passed  us  was  one  of  the  galleys 
of  the  Grand  Duke,  with  its  crew  of  horrid 
wretches  of  slaves  pulling  the  long  oars  with 
an  even  sweep,  like  one  great  machine,  under 
the  eye  and  whip  of  their  captain.  Sorry 
enough  were  we  to  put  foot  on  shore,  for  we 
realized  every  day  was  bringing  us  nearer  to 

22 


i 


SPAMS  II    JOHN 

Rome  and  the  end  of  the  pleasant  life  we  had 
been  leading. 

In  company  with  Mr.  O'Rourke  we  found  a 
respectable  lodging  near  the  Place  where  the 
statue  of  the  Grand  Duke  with  the  four  Turks 
stands,  and  here  everything  was  surprisingly 
fresh  and  clean  after  the  ship.  Indeed,  the 
whole  town  is  wonderfully  clean  and  briofht, 
and  in  that  part  called  "Little  Venice"  we 
loved  to  stroll,  admiring  the  barges  in  the 
canals,  which  are  there  in  the  middle  of  the 
streets,  and  the  loading  and  unloading  of  the 
great  bales  of  goods. 


On  the  second  day  after  our  arrival,  while 
in  that  street  which  serves  as  an  Exchange  for 
the  merchants,  to  our  great  surprise  we  saw 
our  friend  Manuel  the  Jew.  But  how  changed 
from  the  sickly,  poor  old  man  we  had  known 
on  board  the  barque!  He  was  decently 
dressed  in  sober  black,  with  a  long  cloak  and 
a  well-cared-for  periwig,  and  spake  to  one  who 
looked  like  a  person  of  standing,  as  a  man 
speaking  to  his  equal. 

On  seeing  us  he  came  forward,  and,  after 

28 


SPANISH    JOHN 

shaking  hands  with  me  and  Angus,  he  saluted 
Mr.  O'Kourke,  who  returned  his  bow,  but  not 
overwarmly.  After  a  few  w^ords  he  excused 
himself  and  spake  for  a  little  with  a  gentle- 
man of  good  appearance,  indicating  us  the 
while. 

Evidently  at  his  invitation,  the  gentleman 
came  up  to  us  and  addressed  Mr.  O'lfourke: 
"  Sir.  I  am  Signor  Antonio  Arnnldi,  one  of  the 
merchants  of  this  place,  and  not  ill-connected. 
Mv  friend  Manuel  tells  me  he  is  under  some 
obliffation  to  vour  voung-  gentlemen  for  kind- 
ness  received,  and  begs  your  permission  to  al- 
low their  attendance  at  some  festivity  among 
his  people  to-night.  The  son  of  the  Grand 
Duke,  I  am  tokl,  intends  to  honour  it  with  his 
presence,  so  you  may  judge  it  is  an  occasion  of 
unusual  importance.  lie  assures  me  he  will 
take  every  care  of  the  young  gentlemen,  and 
asks  my  word  for  his  trustworthiness,  which  I 
can  give  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  as  can 
anv  honourable  merchant  in  Livorno."  So 
saying  he  bowed  most  graciously,  and,  after 
some  further  words  and  compliments,  Mr. 
O'Rourke  as  handsomely  gave  his  full  consent, 
when  there  was  more  bowing  and  compliments 

34 


SPANISH    JOHN 


on  all  sides,  and  the  merchant  betook  himself 
to  his  affairs.  Though  we  were  in  no  way 
bound  to  Mr.  O'Rourke's  consent  to  our  com- 
ings and  goings,  we  did  not  hold  it  necessary 
to  protest  when  others  took  it  for  granted  he 
stood  in  this  relation  towards  us. 

Manuel  then  led  us  through  the  Exchange, 
and  though  Mr.  O'Rourke  was  somewhat  stiff 
at  first,  this  soon  wore  off  when  he  saw  what 
people  saluted  our  guide  and  their  manner  of 
so  doing.  Manuel  knew  every  one ;  he  pointed 
out  to  us  the  most  considerable  merchants, 
shewed  us  the  harbour  and  the  Duke's  galleys, 
making  plain  much  we  would  not  have  under- 
stood, and  left  us  at  the  dinner-hour,  promising 
to  call  for  us  at  our  lodging  in  the  evening. 

That  afternoon  we  went  to  the  great  baths, 
which  were  managed  after  the  manner  of  Tur- 
key, as  Manuel  had  explained  to  us,  and  though 
somewhat  alarmed  at  first  by  so  much  steam 
and  heat  and  water,  and  the  slappings  a-nd 
punchings  and  rubbings  of  the  naked  Turks 
who  waited  on  us,  we  soon  got  used  to  it  and 
came  out  after  some  hours  feeling  like  differ- 
ent persons,  cleaner  I  suppose  than  we  had 
ever  been  in  our  lives  before-    "VYe  then  walked 


SPANISH    JOHN 

on  the  Mole  and  admired  the  fine  ladies  tak- 
ing the  air  in  their  chairs  borne  by  footmen 
all  well  liveried  and  appointed. 

Towards  evening  Manuel  came  for  us,  and 
though  he  most  civilly  invited  Mr.  O'Rourke 
to  make  one  of  us,  he  pietexed  another  en- 
gagement. 

"You  see,"  lie  explained  to  us,  when  we 
withdrew  to  make  our  preparation,  '*  you  have 
no  characters  at  all,  and  can  consort  with  the 
Grand  Turk,  if  you  choose,  but  1  am  respecta- 
ble and  cannot  afford  to  take  liberties  with 
mvself." 

"  Indeed,  Mr.  O'Rourke,"  said  I,  "  we  have 
a  great  deal  of  character.'' 

"  So  I  have  perceived  ;  but  it  is  more  to  the 
quality  I  am  referring,"  he  returned. 

"Well,  and  did  you  ever  hear  anything 
against  my  family  ?"  I  asked,  somewhat  heated. 

"Nothing  but  what  filled  me  with  terror, 
being  a  peaceable  man  in  my  quiet  hours,"  he 
said,  with  a  laugh. 

But  now  I  began  to  suspect  him  of  rallying 
me,  and  said  I  believed  he  was  jealous  that  he 
would  not  share  the  good  things  with  us. 

30 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  Not  I,  faith  I"  he  answered ;  "  I'd  be  too 
much  afraid  of  finding  a  Christian  child  done 
up  in  a  ragout,  or  tlieir  trapanning  me  to  turn 
me  into  a  little  Jew ;  and  'tis  hard  lines  it 
would  be  for  me  if  I  couldn't  have  a  taste  of 
bacon  with  my  potato!"  At  which  we  all 
laughed  heartily,  none  the  worse  for  his  non- 
sense. 

So  Angus  and  I  left  in  company  with  Manuel 
and  took  our  way  towards  the  Jews'  quarter. 


Unlike  Avignon  and  Marseilles,  we  did  not 
find  the  Ghetto  locked  and  barred  ;  indeed,  we 
saw  no  great  difference  between  the  Jews  and 
Christians  here,  nor  in  their  quarter  either, 
except  that  it  is  not  so  clean  and  there  are 
more  people  than  in  other  parts  of  the  town ; 
and,  I  confess,  we  met  many  of  those  smells  by 
which  Mr.  O'Rourke  says  one  may  always  tell 
a  Jew  ;  but,  for  that  matter,  I  have  met  as  bad 
in  the  Sacred  City  of  Rome  itself. 

Every  one  knew  Manuel,  and  he  was  greeted 
with  respect  even  by  the  children  in  the  street. 
We  stopped  at  the  door  of  a  high  building,  and, 
after  climbing  some  flights  of  stairs,  all  open- 
ing on  a  great  court,  he  unlocked  a  door  and 


J 


I  iiiiiilii 


!i 


II 


SPANISH    JOHN 

we  entered  his  rooms.  Here  everything  was 
very  clean,  but  too  bare,  as  I  thought,  for  a 
man  held  in  such  esteem.  On  a  table  was 
spread  a  collation  of  fruits  and  sweetmeats,  of 
which  we  all  three  partook  i*^  great  merriment 
by  the  light  of  a  tall  silver  lamp. 

When  our  hunger  was  satisfied,  our  host  led 
us  into  another  room,  where  from  a  high  press 
he  took  down  two  rich  cloaks,  and,  telling  us 
we  were  going  to  a  wedding,  where  we  must 
not  shame  our  host,  he  put  them  over  our  plain 
clothes,  and  bade  us  see  ourselves  in  a  mirror. 
I  never  was  so  fine  before ;  for  not  only  was  the 
cloak  of  the  finest  camlet,  of  a  rich  blue  colour, 
but  was  lined  with  a  cheri'y-coloured  silk  and 
had  good  lace  about  the  neck,  while  that  of 
Angus  was  quite  as  handsome,  only  more  of  a 
mulberry. 

For  himself,  he  kept  to  his  black,  but  his 
doublet  was  of  velvet,  as  was  the  cloak  which 
he  now  took  down,  to  whici  he  added  a  heavy 
gold  chain,  which  so  hecame  his  gentle  face 
and  venerable  beard  that  in  my  eyes  he  looked 
as  if  he  should  be  alwavs  dressed  in  this  fashion. 
And  in  the  midst  of  it  all  I  remembered  that 
this  was  the  man  to  whom  I  had  offered  money 


STAN  IS  ir    .lOIIX 


for  ii  meal,  and  I  wns  ovei'come  with  shame. 
I  suppose  he  perceived  my  thought,  for  he  en- 
ffaored  us  in  talk  at  once  about  the  festa  until 
my  confusion  passed  off.  It  seemed  mighty 
strange  to  us,  who  had  seen  Jews  so  contemned 
in  other  places,  and  heard  such  stories  of  their 
wickedness  and  cruelty,  to  listen  to  one  whom 
we  had  lately  seen  so  despised  and  put  upon 
talking  as  if  a  festa  were  his  every -day  affair, 
and  our  appearance  the  most  particular  con- 
cern he  had  on  hand. 

At  length  everything  was  adjusted  to  his 
satisfaction,  and  forth  we  went  in  our  bravery 
to  win  the  envy  and  outspoken  admiration  of 
the  peo])le  as  we  made  our  way  through  the 
crowded  streets  towards  the  house  where  the 
festa  was  hehl.  The  stairways  up  which  we 
went  were  laid  with  carpets  and  the  bareness 
of  the  walls  hidden  under  rich  stuffs,  and  when 
once  in-doors  we  were  dazzled  with  the  lights 
in  hanging  silver  lamps  and  massive  candelabra 
on  every  hand. 

There  seemed  t^  be  hundreds  of  people  in 
the  rooms,  which  were  hung  with  the  finest  of 
damask;  and,  more  wmiderful  still,  the  very 
floor  on  which  we  trod  was  covered  in  silver 

29 


SPANMSH  John 


! 


tiles — the  father  of  the  bride  having  removed 
those  of  earthenware  and  replaced  them  by 
silver,  to  do  honour  to  his  daughter  and  to  the 
Grand  Duke,  a  great  patron  of  the  Jews,  whose 
eldest  son  was  to  be  a  guest.  As  we  went 
bowinp  :\r  way  through  the  crowd  we  were 
dumb  witn  amazement  at  the  beautiful  dresses, 
the  pearls,  and  precious  stones  and  jewels  worn 
by  both  men  and  women. 

The  y      as  simply  covered  with  theni 

but  seeqior'  iv*  *  .  a  poor  enough  little  creature 
in  !^|>it3  of  her  n:  piv-  and  we  were  surprised 
to  iihd  she  w?;.  i:'t..  •'■■^'^  than  a  child.  To 
her  every  one  made  his  compliment  in  Italian 
or  Portuguese  or  in  the  Jews'  tongue,  but  not 
knowing  any  of  the  three,  I  ventured  on  the 
best  wish  I  knew  in  good  Gaelic-^"  Soagbal  fada 
slainte's  sonas  pailt  do  Bhean  na  Bainnse  1" — 
which  means,  in  English,  "  May  the  bride  have 
long  life  and  abundant  health  and  happiness  " ; 
at  which  the  wee  thing  laughed  very  merrily, 
though  she  could  not  have  known  a  word ; 
from  which  I  gathered  a  higher  opinion  of  her 
intelligence  than  her  looks. 

On  tables  and  buflFets  were  confections  and 
fruits,  wines  and  sweet  drinks  in  vessels  of 

80 


■ 


! 


SPANISH    JOHN 


every  form  and  colour  and  of  inconceivable 
richness.  To  music  unceasing  the  dancers  ad- 
vanced and  retired,  bowed  and  turned  until  we 
could  see  but  a  changing  maze  of  silks  and 
velvets,  of  flashing  gold  and  jewels  under  the 
lights  that  seemed  to  wave  and  dance  before 
our  dazzled  eyes ;  and  when,  at  last,  the  hour 
came  to  leave,  the  music  kept  ringing  and  the 
lights  flashing  about  us  through  the  still,  dark 
streets  until  we  dropped  asleep  in  our  lodging. 

On  our  awakening  the  next  morning  the  first 
thing  that  met  our  e3^es  was  our  finery  of  the 
night  before,  which,  in  our  excitement,  we  had 
forgotten  to  return  to  Manuel,  and  on  his  ap- 
pearance later,  to  our  surprise,  he  would  not- 
hear  of  such  a  thing,  though  we  pressed  him 
hard. 

"When  you  offered  me  money  to  fill  an 
empty  stomach,  was  I  ungrateful  ?"  he  asked ; 
and  part  for  this,  and  part  that  he  should  not 
think  that  we  scorned  to  accept  from  a  Jew, 
we  desisted  and  made  such  return  as  we  could. 

Mr.  O'Kourke  now  came  for  us  with  an  in- 
vitation to  breakfast  with  two  Scottish  gentle- 
men making  the  Grand  Tour,  who  had  sent 

81 


SPANISH    .loll^^ 


their  servant  to  our  lodging  with  their  compli- 
ipents  and  the  message.  Hut  I  cannot  recall 
anything  further  than  one  was  a  Mr.  Ram- 
say, over  whose  lap  Mr.  O'Rourke  upset  a  dish 
of  tea,  and  great  was  the  outcry  and  many  the 
apologies  thereat. 

We  joined  our  friend  Manuel  again,  who 
had  undertaken  to  engage  for  us  a  reliable  in- 
terpreter with  whom  to  journey  to  Rome,  for, 
mucli  to  our  disgust,  we  found  the  little  French 
we  liad  been  at  such  pains  to  acquire  during 
our  stay  at  Paris  was  as  useless  as  our  Eng- 
lish in  these  parts,  and  we  were  now  to  lose 
^[r.  O'Rourke,  though  he  gave  us  a  hope  of 
joining  us  at  some  point  before  we  reached  our 
journey's  end. 

After  consulting  wnth  Angus,  I  took  the 
precaution  to  buy  two  good  French  folding- 
knives,  one  for  each,  which  would  serve  both 
for  the  table  and  defence,  if  need  be. 

In  order  to  avoid  the  dangers  of  a  bad  road 
across  an  unsettled  country,  where  many  law- 
less characters  abounded,  it  was  decided  we 
should  go  to  Pisa  by  way  of  the  Canal,  and 
thence  hire  a  caleche  and  take  the  main  high- 
way to  Rome  by  way  of  Bolsena  and  Yiterbo. 

8S 


fe  l»  A  N  1  S  It    JOHN 

In  tne  early  morning,  accompanied  by  Mr. 
O'Rourke,  we  made  our  way  to  the  Canal, 
where  we  found  Manuel  awaiting  us  by  the 
boat,  somewhat  similar  to  the  Coche  d'Eau  by 
which  we  had  travelled  to  Auxerre,  with  a 
basket  filled  with  fruit  and  the  sweatraeats 
we  most  admired.  He  begged  us  not  to  for- 
get him,  and  seemed  so  down  at  parting  that 
we  could  not  refrain  from  embracing  him, 
though  in  Mr.  O'Rourke's  presence,  who  be- 
haved very  handsomely  himself  in  thanking 
Manuel,  which  I  thought  the  more  of  than 
our  own  action,  as  we  were  drawn  to  him  and 
he  was  not.  At  last  we  moved  slowly  off, 
waving  our  adieux  to  the  two  best  friends  we 
had  so  far  met  in  our  travels. 


It  must  have  been  Manuel  who  made  the 
difference,  for  I  remember  but  little  of  Pisa  or 
the  first  part  of  our  journey,  save  that  the 
open  caleche  was  pleasant,  and  that  we  were 
much  taken  with  Luigi,  our  interpreter,  who 
allowed  neither  postilions  nor  innkeepers  to 
get  the  upper  hand  of  him  or  us,  and  who  was 
always  in  good-humour.  The  inns  were  most- 
ly bad,  and  we  suffered  cruelly  from  fleas, 
c  38 


\ 


SPANISH    JOHN 


ii 


which  were  nearly  as  many  and  as  hard  to  get 
rid  of  as  the  beggars. 

About  noon,  one  day  in  December,  we  drove 
into  a  small  town  most  strongly  placed,  call- 
ed Aquapendente,  and  there,  before  the  door 
of  the  Tre  Corone,  we  caught  sight  of  Mr. 
O'Rourke,  standinof  head  and  shoulders  above 
the  crowd. 

We  were  so  overjoyed  to  see  him  once  more 
that  we  flew  into  his  arms,  and  there  was 
great  laughing  and  outcry  for  a  few  mo- 
ments. At  length  he  sliook  himself  free  and 
pretended  to  rate  us.  "  Here !  Here !  You 
young  ruffians!  Where  are  your  manners? 
Don't  you  see  I  am  talking  to  a  gentleman, 
or  was,  until  you  two  Highland  caterans  fell 
on  me ! 

"  — Now  let  me  see  what  you  have  learned 
by  your  foreign  travel,"  he  continued. 

"Captain  Creach,"  said  he,  turning  to  the 
gentleman  who  was  looking  on  and  laughing, 
but  who,  on  being  addressed,  at  once  took  an 
air  of  attention,  "  this  is  Ian — or,  in  English, 
John — McDonell  of  Scottos,  of  the  mature  age 
of  twelve,  the  scion  of  an  illustrious  family, 
whose  ancestors  have  ruled  in  Knoidart  and 

34 


SPANISH    J  DUX 


\ 


parts  adjacent  from  the  days  of  Noah  down- 
wards. 

"  And  this,"  he  said,  waving  his  hand  tow- 
ards Angus,  "  is  Mr.  Angus  McDonald  of 
Clanranald,  who  confesses  to  fourteen  years, 
whose  name  is  known  with  distinction  in  the 
Highlands,  and  with  fear  through  the  coun- 
tries towards  the  south. 

"They  are  travelling  to  Rome,  there  to 
complete  their  studies  in  the  Scots  College, 
and  may  afterwards  enter  into  competition  for 
the  higher  oifices  in  the  gift  of  His  Holiness, 
provided  secular  callings  have  not  a  greater 
charm.  I  have  enjoyed  the  honour  of  travel- 
ling in  their  company,  and  can  answer  for 
their  principles,  if  not  always  for  their  discre- 
tion. .  .  ."  And  so  on,  with  much  more  of 
his  Irish  balderdash,  without  sense  or  mean- 
ing, until  Captain  Creach,  who  was  a  small, 
genteel-appearing  man,  with  a  very  white  face, 
dressed  in  a  habit,  half  civil,  half  military,  cut 
hiiTi  short  and  shook  hands  with  us,  saying  he 
was  sure  we  would  prove  a  credit  to  our  names 
wherever  we  might  go,  though  he  would  be 
sorry  to  see  two  such  fine  lads  hiding  their 
figures  in  black  petticoats — a  sentiment  which 

35 


Sl'AxMSll    JOHX 


wjirnuid  me  to  him  at  once;  and  when  I 
h'jirned  he  had  actually  been  in  the  Regiment 
Irlandia,  my  delight  knew  no  bounds.  I 
questioned  him  at  once,  but  found  he  did  not 
remember  ray  Uncle  Scottos  —  he  was  too 
young  for  that  —  though  he  knew  his  name 
well,  which  did  not  astonish  me. 

We  spent  the  morning  merrily,  I  paying  for 
a  bottle  of  wine  for  him  and  Mr.  O'Rourke, 
and  Angus  and  I  readily  agreed  to  wait  over 
the  day  that  we  might  enjoy  their  company, 
as  the  Captain  was  on  his  way  north  and  Mr. 
O'Rourke  was  not  yet  ready  for  Rome.  Luigi 
we  sent  oflf  to  enjoy  himself  after  his  own 
fashion. 

Whilst  the  dinner  was  preparing,  Angus 
and  Mr.  O'Rourke  set  off  to  see  the  fall  of 
water  near  by,  but  I  remained  in  the  upper 
room  with  my  new  friend,  as  I  had  much  yet 
to  inquire  concerning  the  Regiment.  But  after 
a  little  he  seemed  to  grow  weary  of  my 
questioning,  and  suddenly,  without  any  in- 
troduction, asked  me  if  I  had  any  money 
by  me. 

"  Yes,"  I  answered,  honestly  enough. 

"  Well,  then,  I'll  have  to  accept  a  loan  from 

86 


f 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I 


you,"  he  said,  carelessly,  as  if  we  had  been  long 
discussing  the  matter. 

"  I'm  sorry  I  cannot  oblige  you,  sir,"  said  I, 
rising  from  my  place  and  beginning  to  walk 
up  and  down,  feeling  mighty  uncomfortable. 

"Come,  come,  my  lad,"  said  he,  in  a  voice 
he  tried  to  make  very  friendly,  ''  we  soldiers 
have  our  ups  and  downs,  and  always  help 
each  other.  Your  Uncle  Scottos  would  be 
proud  to  help  a  brother  officer." 

"That  may  be,  sir,  but,  according  to  your 
own  shewing,  you  never  had  the  honour  to 
know  my  Uncle  Scottos,  who  is  not  here  to 
answer  for  himself." 

"  You  I'ttle  puppy  !"  ^c  roared.  "  Do  you 
know  nothing  of  what  should  be  between  gen- 
tlemen ?" 

He  saw  by  my  face  he  had  made  a  mistake, 
and  at  once  went  on  a  new  tack.  "  But  there, 
there ! — you  must  pardon  my  heat.  I  am  only 
a  rough  soldier  and  slow  to  take  a  jest.  Be- 
lieve me,  I  had  no  intent  to  frighten  you." 

I  was  the  angry  one  now.  "  I  know  nothing 
of  your  intents,  Captain  Creach,"  said  I ;  "  I 
am  only  sure  of  one  thing,  and  that  is,  you 
did  not  and  cannot  frighten  me.     I  have  just 

37 


SPANISH    JOHN 


W  A 


enough  money  for  us  to  get  to  Kome,  and 
could  not  make  a  loan  to  you  or  to  any  other 
were  I  ever  so  willing.  So  there  the  matter 
rests." 

The  words  were  barely  out  of  my  mouth 
before  he  rushed  at  me.  I  was  on  my  guard, 
and,  throwing  a  chair  in  his  way,  nearly  upset 
him ;  but  he  recovered  before  I  could  get  at 
him,  and  in  a  minute  more  had  me  by  the  col- 
lar, shaking  the  life  out  of  me.  I  did  my  best 
to  butt  him  with  my  head,  but  could  not  get 
room ;  so  I  was  kicking  and  striking  and  biting 
like  an  otter,  making  noise  enough  to  bring  the 
house  down,  when  the  door  flew  oen,  and  in 
rushed  Angus.  He  never  waited  a  moment, 
but  attacked  the  Captain  behind,  catching  his 
legs  very  cleverly  ;  whereupon  I,  giving  a  sud- 
den shove,  down  we  went,  all  three  together, 
rolling  over  and  over  among  the  chairs  and 
under  the  table. 

Angus  and  I  were  both  as  strong  as  ponies, 
and  such  a  tight  had  no  terrors  for  us ;  and  the 
Captain,  being  a  small  man,  we  were  not  so 
very  unequal ;  thus  it  was  in  a  trice  we  had 
him  flat  on  his  back,  Angus  on  his  two  legs 
and  I  straddling  on  his  chest,  with  my  knees 

38 


SPANISH  JOHN 


on  his  arms,  doing  my  best  to  get  at  my 
French  knife,  so  I  might  cut  his  wicked  throat, 
wlien  in  burst  Mr.  O'Rourke,  who,  catching 
my  hand  just  as  I  had  my  knife  free,  upset  us 
both  and  dragged  the  Captain  to  his  feet. 

"  What's  all  this  jerrymahoo  about,  you 
young  savages  V  he  shouted  ;  but  I  could  not 
answer,  as  I  was  wild  to  get  at  the  Captain 
again,  now  I  had  recovered  my  wind ;  and  a 
good  day's  work  it  would  have  been  for  me  and 
others  had  I  done  so.  However,  Mr.  O'Rourke 
held  me  at  arm's-length  until  I  quieted  down, 
and,  after  sending  away  the  inn  people  who 
were  crowding  through  the  door,  now  they  saw  . 
all  danger  over,  I  panted  out  the  story. 

"  You  damned  scoundrel !"  said  Mr.  O'Rourke, 
though  he  was  a  most  religious  man  and  almost 
as  good  as  a  priest.  "  You  scoundrel ;  faith  I'm 
sorry  I  didn't  let  this  baby  finish  you !  But 
we'll  tan  your  cowardly  hide  for  this  or  my 
name's  not  O'Rourke ! 

"  But  look  at  the  creature's  ears !"  he  broke 
out  of  a  sudden ;  "  he  has  them  as  big  as  the 
Prophet's  ass !  And  to  think  of  me  being  taken 
in  by  the  animal !"  Therenpon  he  turned  him 
round  and  bade  us  mark  the  way  in  which  his 

39 


SPANISH    JOHN 


'I 


; 


ears  stuck  out  from  his  shaven  pate,  now  his 
wig  was  knocked  off,  while  he  roared  with 
laughter. 

But  this  all  went  sadly  against  my  grain,  as 
I  was  all  for  punishing  the  rogue  then  and 
there,  and  I  knew  Mr.  O'Rourke  would  soon 
make  this  impossible  if  he  went  on  with  his 
jesting.  However,  he  pointed  out  that  to  such 
a  man  the  disgrace  would  mean  as  much  as  his 
punishment,  and  he  would  hand  him  over  to 
the  magistnite  liimself.  "The  creature  sets 
up  to  be  a  gentleman,  but  if  we  can  get  one  of 
his  shoulders  stamped  with  a  hot  iron,  as  is 
^heir  fasliion  hereabouts,  'twill  take  a  mighty 
tine  coat  to  cover  that  same,"  he  explained, 
much  to  our  satisfaction.  So  the  innkeeper 
was  called  and  bidden  to  lock  him  up  securely  ; 
and  off  marched  the  Captain  with  his  white 
face,  looking  half  dazed,  but  offering  no  words 
or  apology  whatever. 

When  we  were  alone,  Mr.  O'Rourke  burst 
out,  blaming  himself  for  leaving  me  alone 
with  such  a  man,  calling  himself  every  name 
he  could  lay  his  tongue  to  for  being  taken  in 
with  the  first  scoundrel  he  picked  up.  "'Tis 
a  pretty  ass  I  have  made  of  myself,  turning  up 

40 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I 


my  nose  at  your  consorting  with  a  poor,  harm- 
less Jew,  and  then  to  take  up  myself  with  a 
picaroon  of  a  captain,  and  perhaps  play  second 
fiddle  to  the  hangman  !  Job  no  doubt  had  me 
in  his  eye  when  he  said  that  *  multitude  of 
years  should  teach  wisdom '  (et  annorura  multi- 
tudo  doceret  sapientiam),  but  my  wisdom  was 
a  fool  to  your  folly." 

However,  after  awhile  we  all  cooled  down, 
and  by  the  time  dinner  was  on  the  table  were 
in  our  sober  senses  again.  Then  in  comes 
Luigi,  who  must  hear  the  whole  story  over, 
and  sets  us  all  laughing  merrily  with  his  antics, 
feigning  to  weep  when  we  told  how  Mr. 
O'Rourke  would  not  let  me  slit  the  Captain's 
throat ;  but  when  he  heard  what  we  had  done 
with  the  scamp,  he  was  off  in  a  trice  and  back 
as  soon,  dragging  the  innkeeper  with  him  and 
bursting  with  anger.  It  was  soon  explained. 
The  Captain  had  escaped,  and  Luigi  was  for 
haling  the  innkeeper  before  the  judge;  but 
the  poor  man  cried  so  piteously,  and  so  be- 
sought us  not  to  undo  him,  that  we  took  com- 
passion, and  contented  ourselves  with  ordering 
our  caleche  and  starting  again  on  our  journey, 
Mr.  O'Rourke  promising  to  see  us  in  Kome. 

41 


SPANISH    JOHN 


i 
1 


We  arrived  at  Viterbo  through  a  fine  stretch 
of  country,  more  especially  about  the  Lake  of 
Bolsena,  but  passed  through  no  towns  of  im- 
portance. We  had  heard  such  tales  of  robbers 
that  we  here  determined  to  better  provide  for 
our  personal  safety ;  so  we  set  out  from  the 
inn,  and,  with  the  help  of  Luigi,  found  an  ar- 
mourer, with  whom  we  bargained  for  a  pair  of 
pistols,  and  had  them  at  a  fair  price.  He  had 
some  good  blades  as  well,  and,  now  we  had 
begun  to  have  a  hankering  for  weapons,  I  de- 
sired one  greatly,  but  was  dissuaded  by  Luigi, 
who  pointed  out  they  were  much  too  long  for 
me  to  carry,  and,  further,  that  for  young  gen- 
tlemen going  to  college  we  had  weapons  enough 
and  to  spare. 

About  a  mile  from  the  town  we  came  on  a 
hill  so  steep  we  were  forced  to  dismount  and 
climb  on  foot.  "  At  the  top  we  will  find  a 
guard  of  archers,"  said  Luigi,  "  who  have  been 
there  ever  since  the  days  of  Innocent  the 
Eleventh." 

"  Not  the  same  ones,  surely  ?"  said  I,  quizzing 
him,  after  the  manner  of  Mr.  O'Rourke.  ~ 

"I  don't  doubt  it,"  he  returned,  gravely; 
^^  most  of  them  are  old  and  useless  enough  to 

4» 


SI»ANMS11    JOHN 


" 


have  been  there  since  the  days  of  Nero.  But 
that  is  not  my  point;  that  is  in  the  story,  if 
you  can  find  it." 

"Go  on  with  your  tale,  Luigi;  he  knows 
nothing  of  history,"  said  Angus. 

"History,  indeed,  you  dunderhead !"  said  I, 
much  disgusted.  "Can't  you  see  a  joke  wlien 
'tis  under  your  nose  ?" 

"I've  been  carrying  my  nose  in  my  pock- 
et, according  to  Mr.  O'Rourke's  direction,  ever 
since  I  came  into  the  country,  and  I  don't  find 
your  joke  so  fine  that  I  need  take  it  out,"  he 
returned,  with  a  silly  air  of  conceit  which  an- 
gered me  mightily. 

"  See  here,  my  fine  fellow !"  said  I,  stopping 
short ;  "  if  you  have  a  mind  to  try  any  of  your 
Prester  John  airs  with  me,  you  had  best  put 
your  head  where  your  nose  is,  or  the  one  will 
soon  be  as  little  use  to  you  as  the  other." 

"  Oh,  gentlemen,  gentlemen !"  cried  Luigi  at 
this,  much  distressed ;  "  I  have  not  even  yet 
begun  my  story !" 

"Don't  mind  us,  Luigi,"  said  Angus,  quite 
cool ;  "  go  on  with  your  story.  We  are  only 
getting  the  laugh  in  at  the  wrong  end.  T  did 
not  mean  to  ruff  you,  Shonaidh,"  he  added, 

43 


SPANISH    JOHN 


very  handsomely,  for  Angus  could  be  quite  the 
gentleman  when  he  desired. 

"I  know  you  didn't,"  I  returned,  without 
offence ;  "  but  you  shouldn't  laugh  at  me  when 
I  am  trying  a  joke.     My  temper  is  short." 

On  this  we  made  up  without  further  words, 
and  both  turned  to  Luigi,  begging  him  to  con- 
tinue with  his  tale. 

"  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  'twas  in  the  days  of 
Innocent  the  Eleventh,  when  u.  young  Polish 
friar,  on  his  way  towards  Rome,  was  here  ar- 
rested by  two  robbers,  who,  after  relieving  him 
of  his  purse,  which  they  found  much  too  light 
for  one  of  his  comfortable  appearance,  threat- 
ened him  with  torture  unless  he  revealed  where 
the  rest  of  his  money  was  hid.  He  thereupon 
owned  to  having  some  gold  pieces  in  the  soles 
of  his  shoes,  on  which  they  bade  him  sit  down 
and  started  to  strip  his  feet.  Now,  he  being 
very  powerful,  and  marking  the  favourable 
position  of  his  tormentors,  seized  his  oppor- 
tunity and  the  robbers  at  the  same  moment, 
and  brought  their  heads  together  with  so  happy 
a  crack  that  he  rendered  them  senseless.  Seeing 
their  statt,  he  repeated  his  experiment  with 
such  sucoess  that  he  soon  put  an  end  to  their 

44 


SPANISH    JOHN 

rogueries  forever.  Rejoicing  at  his  good  fort- 
une, he  took  all  their  effects,  piled  them  on 
one  of  his  horses,  and,  mounted  on  the  other, 
made  his  way  into  Rome  with  all  the  honours 
of  war.  The  Pope,  hearing  of  his  adventure, 
desired  to  see  so  remarkable  a  man,  and  the 
young  friar  was  accordingly  brought  into  his 
presence.  When  asked  how  he,  a  single  man, 
accomplished  so  extraordinary  a  feat,  he  folded 
his  hands  and  replied  modestly  in  Latin  :  "  May 
it  please  Your  Holiness,  T  seized  each  of  them 
softly  by  the  hair  of  bis  head  and  softly  knocked 
the  head  of  the  one  against  the  head  of  the 
other  until  they  both  were  dead !"  And  His 
Holiness,  who  was  a  man  of  a  merry  humour, 
laughed  heartily  at  the  simplicity  of  the  answer, 
and  not  only  gave  the  stout  friar  both  the  goods 
of  the  robbers  and  his  blessing,  but  posted  a 
guard  here  as  well,  that  no  other  student  might 
be  put  to  a  like  proof  of  his  courage." 

However,  we  saw  no  robbers,  great  or  small, 
perhaps  because  we  were  so  well  pi'epared, 
though  we  went  through  a  country  full  of 
woods  and  wild  places,  well  fitted  for  this  class 
of  gentry.  We  continued  our  journey  without 
further  matter  worth  mention  until,  as  we 

45 


..^ 


SPANISH    JOHN 

drove  out  of  a  little  village  called  Baccano, 
Luigi  jumped  up  in  great  excitement,  and, 
crying  to  the  postilion  to  stop,  fairl}'  shouted 
in  his  joy,  "  Ecco  Koma !"  And  far  away  in 
the  distance,  over  the  rising  mists  of  the  morn- 
ing, we  saw  the  cross  of  St.  Peter  twinkling 
like  a  star  of  gold. 

"VVe  were  all  impatience  now  and  longed  for 
no  more  adventures,  but,  despite  our  longing, 
it  was  nearly  evening  before  we  drove  in  by 
the  Porto  del  Popolo,  and  black  night  before 
we  passed  our  baggages  at  the  Dogana,  and 
Luigi  deposited  us  in  safety  at  the  Scots  Col- 
lege, in  the  via  delle  Quattro  Fontane. 


n 

1740*1743 

How,  out  of  a  school-boy's  quarrel,  it  came  that  I  kissed 
the  hands  of  His  Majesty,  James  III.;  that  I  met  with 
H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  other  company,  both 
high  and  low,  until,  from  one  tiling  to  another,  I  took 
leave  of  my  Books  lo  follow  the  Drum. 

No  sooner  was  our  arrival  announced  than 
we  were  ushered  into  the  reception-room, 
where,  in  a  moment,  the  Rector,  Father  Ur- 
bani,  came  to  meet  us,  giving  us  such  a  wel- 
come that  our  hearts  warmed  to  him  at  once. 

He  knew  all  about  ouy  people,  and,  indeed, 
had  a  knowledge  of  the  families  as  if  he  had 
been  brought  up  in  the  Highlands;  he  en- 
quired after  each  one  in  turn,  asking  for  news 
of  good  Father  Innes  of  Paris,  and  Bishop 
Hay  of  Edinburgh,  both  old  friends  of  his. 
Nor  did  he  forget  even  Luigi,  but  thanked  him 
handsomely  and  paid  him  well  for  his  care, 
bidding  him  return  the  next  day  to  take  His 
farewell  of  us. 

47 


Sl'AMSlI    .KMIN 


i\ 


When  lie  bade  us  good-night  he  said  to  me : 
"  You  will  bo  the  youngest  boy  in  the  College, 
.nnd  you  have  a  face  worthy  of  your  holy 
name,  John ;  but  I  shall  call  you  Little  John, 
Giovannini."  And  by  that  name  it  was  that 
I  went  all  the  time  I  was  in  Rome. 

We  were  given  a  room  together,  and  I,  re- 
membering my  father's  word,  looked  at  the 
wall  near  the  beds,  but  could  find  no  "  Sir  Pat- 
rick Spens,"  and  so  knew  it  was  not  his  room, 
but  I'esolved  to  ask  the  Rector  the  next  day. 


Then  began  our  regular  round  of  work. 
The  Rector  engaged  a  private  tutor  to  instruct 
us  in  Latin  and  Italian,  and  before  the  winter 
was  over  we  were  deemed  ready  to  go  to  the 
schools  taught  by  the  Jesuits  in  the  Collegio 
Romano;  for  there  was  no  teaching  in  the 
Scots  College,  only  the  learning  of  our  tasks 
and  submission  to  the  discipline  imposed. 

It  was  not  long  before  we  welcomed  Mr. 
O'Rourke  again,  for  he  was  now  at  the  Prop- 
aganda, and  there  and  elsewhere  he  gained 
much  credit  for  us  by  publishing  the  story  of 
our  adventure  with  the  Captain,  which  lost 
nothing,  I  can  answer,  in  the  telling. 

48 


I 


i 


SPANISH    JOHX 


t 


At  the  Roman  College  we  met  with  lads 
from  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  I  made  such 
progress  before  the  year  was  out  that  1  was 
put  into  a  higher  class,  and  there,  unfortunate- 
ly, fell  foul  of  a  fellow  in  a  way  that  nearly 
put  an  end  to  my  studies. 

This  was  a  swartli-y  Maronite,  from  near 
Mount  Libanis,  who  attempted  to  palm  off  a 
dirty  trick  on  me  in  school  hours.  Not  being 
allowed  to  speak  then,  I  bided  my  time  until 
the  bell  rang,  when  I  made  for  the  door,  and 
the  monient  he  came  out  gave  him  a  boy's 
punishment,  swelling  his  upper  lip  and  send- 
ing him  off  holding  his  nose,  which  was  bleed- 
ing. All  my  fellows  were  rejoiced  at  the  out- 
come, and  promised  me  their  support. 

Now  there  were  two  punishments  in  vogue 
in  the  Collcgio  Koniano,  styled,  respectively, 
the  Mule  and  the  Horse — the  first  of  u^hich 
was  to  be  put  into  the  stocks,  hands  and  feet, 
and  receive  as  maftv  lashes  on  the  bare  back 
with  a  cat  as  might  be  thought  proper;  the 
Horse  was  for  less  atrocious  crimes,  for  which 
the  offender  was  made  to  stand  on  a  bucket- 
stool  and  w^as  flogged  on  the  small  of  the  legs. 

Soon  after  our  return  from  school  a  message 
D  49 


SI'A  N  ISM    .lollN 


was  sent  to  Father  ITrhani,  giving  an  account 
of  the  crime  committed  by  Giovannini  McDon- 
ell.  I  was  in  clue  course  calletl  for  by  tlie  Su- 
|)erior,  in  presence  of  all  my  fellow-collegioners, 
and  accused.  Without  hesitation  I  avowed  my 
guilt,  and  was  thereupon  told  by  the  Superior 
1  must  undergo  the  punishment  of  the  Mule. 
There  was  a  dead  silence  at  this,  and  all  looked 
at  me  and  waited. 

I  write  this  as  an  ohl  man  who  has  lived 
through  a  life  of  action,  not  without  its  re- 
verses, but  as  I  write  I  can  distinctly  recall  the 
wretched  misery  that  chilled  my  blood  and 
turned  my  heart  to  water  as  the  Superior  gave 
his  sentence.  No  distress  I  have  ever  gone 
through  since  has  equalled  the  helpless  despair 
that  wrung  my  lonely,  miserable  little  heart 
as  I  stood  there  trembling  in  every  limb  be- 
fore my  judge.  I  was  sick  with  tlie  shame 
and  humiliation ;  I  was  indignant  at  the  in- 
justice ;  I  was  overcome  by  my  powerlessness, 
but  I  do  not  think  I  was  afraid. 

"  Sir,"  said  I,  wlien  I  could  speak,  "  I  was 
falsely  accused  by  a  coward  and  a  liar  for  his 
own  dirty  trick,  and  I  did  the  only  thing  in  ?"  V 
power  to  right  myself.     If  my  way  was  wroi.   , 

5U 


I  GAVK   HIM   A    HOYS   PLM.SIIMKM  " 


SPANMSH    JOIiX 


I  am  sorry,  but  I  will  not  be  tied  up  and  pun- 
ished like  a  soldier  or  a  tliief.  I  am  a  «^<'iitle- 
man  born,  sir,  and  F  would  rather  die  first!" 
But  here  I  had  to  stop,  for  1  cahiUI  trust  my 
voice  no  longer. 

"Well,  well,  my  lad,  we  won't  talk  of  any 
such  heroics  as  dying  yet,"  said  the  Superior, 
smiling;  whereupon  my  fellows,  taking  heart, 
joined  in,  vowing  the^^  would  rather  leave  the 
Collegio  Romaro  and  go  to  the  Propaganda 
than  submit  to  such  puiiishments.  But  the 
only  result  of  their  protest  was  that  they  were 
packed  off  to  school,  as  usual,  and  I  was  kept 
at  home. 

After  the  others  were  gone,  and  1  alone  in 
my  room,  I  had  begun  to  wonder  what  was  in 
store  for  me,  when  word  was  brought  that  the 
Rector,  Father  Urbani,  waited  for  me.  I  en- 
tered his  presence  with  a  heavy  heart,  for  a  boy 
in  disgrace  sees  a  possible  enemy  in  every  one; 
but  that  kind  old  man  beckoned  me  to  his  side, 
and,  i\istead  of  questions  or  reproaches,  patted 
my  cheek,  and,  calling  me  iiis  "  caro  Giovan- 
nini,"  ask(Ml  me  if  I  would  not  like  to  accom- 
pany him  in  his  coach  and  see  some  of  the 
sights  of  Rome. 


( 

I  I '   f 


S  P  A  N  I  S  H    JO  IT  y 

I  was  so  overcome  I  could  not  lielp  bursting 
into  tears,  through  which  I  sobl)ed :  "Dear, 
dear  Father  Urbani,  I  will  go  with  you  any- 
where, but  I  will  never  take  a  Mule  or  a 
Horse !" 

"My  dear  Giovannini,"  said  he,  "the  only 
Horses  we  will  think  about  are  those  for  the 
shafts  of  our  coach.  Be  readv  after  the  siesta, 
and  let  me  see  a  more  smiling  face  when  next 
vou  meet  me." 

So  take  me  he  did,  and  was  so  sumptuously 
received  at  all  the  great  houses  he  visited — and 
I  as  well — that  I  soon  forgot  my  tenors. 

Father  Urbani  was  a  gentleman  of  birth, 
connected  with  many  of  the  highest  families, 
and  whatever  his  real  name  was,  he  well  de- 
served that  of  his  profession,  for  no  one  could 
be  more  urbane  than  he,  and  his  softness  of 
voice  always  brought  my  dear  father  before 
me.  He  was  full  of  drolleries,  too,  for,  when 
we  visited  St.  Peter's,  he  told  me  of  the  German 
in  Rome  who  had  never  seen  the  church,  though 
he  had  started  several  times  with  that  in  view, 
but  always  found  the  sun  too  hot  and  the  tav- 
erns too  cool  for  the  long  walk,  and  so  kept  out 

0» 


\ 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 


of  the  one  and  in  the  other  until  his  day  was 
done  before  his  pilgrimage  was  accomplished. 
At  length,  on  being  rallied  by  his  friends,  he 
made  a  great  effort  and  passed  safely  by  his 
dangers,  saw  the  great  church,  and  returned 
full  of  satisfaction.  "  But,"  says  he,  "  I  think 
it  strange  that  they  should  put  St.  Peter  on 
horseback  before  the  high  altar!"— a  speech 
which  mightily  piqued  the  curiosity  of  his 
friends,  until  they  discovered  he  had  been  no 
farther  than  the  loggia,  and  had  taken  the 
statue  of  the  Roman  Emperor  Constantine  for 
that  of  the  Saint, 

On  the  third  day  of  our  travels  we  went  into 
the  Church  of  the  Santi  Apostoli,  and  there 
Father  Urbani  drew  my  attention  to  a  man 
kneeling  in  prayer  before  a  tomb  near  the  high 
altar.  Though  I  saw  nothing  more  than  a  dark 
velvet  coat,  the  soles  of  his  shoes,  and  part  of 
his  powdered  head,  I  asked,  with  a  sudden 
curiosity,  who  it  might  be. 

"  His  enemies  call  him  The  Pretender,  his 
friends,  the  Chevalier  de  St.  George,  but  many 
hold  he  is  properly  stylet!  His  Majesty,  James 
the  Third  of  England,"  said  Father  Urbani, 
quietly,  but  very  dryly  ;  at  which  my  heart 

58 


SPANISH    JOHN 


til 


broke  into  a  rapid  tattoo  of  loyalty  in  honour 
of  the  House  whose  fortunes  my  family  had 
always  followed,  and  for  whose  sake  my  Un- 
cle Scottos  had  sacrificed  himself. 

We  were  for  withdrawing  quietly,  and  had 
almost  reached  the  door,  when  the  King  fin- 
ished his  devotions  and  came  slowly  down  the 
church— a  thin,  dark-visaged  man,  very  grave 
and  sad -looking,  I  thought,  but  his  carriage 
was  noble,  and  the  broad  riband  on  his  breast 
looked  in  keeping.  He  stopped  when  he 
reached  us  and  spoke  to  Father  Urbani,  who, 
to  my  surprise,  did  not  seem  at  all  put  out,  and 
made  no  greater  reverence  to  the  King  than 
he  would  to  any  noble  of  high  rank,  answering 
him  In  his  soft,  quiet  voice,  as  though  speak- 
ing to  an  ordinary  man.  I  only  remembered 
this  afterwards,  when  telling  Angus  of  the 
meeting.  At  the  time  I  stood  like  one  en- 
chanted, devouring  the  King  with  my  eyes. 

At  last  he  noticed  my  absorption,  and  said, 
still  in  Italian,  ''All!  an  English  lad,  I  see?" 

"  No,  Your  Majesty,"  I  made  bold  to  answer, 
"  a  Highlander."  At  which  he  smiled,  gravely, 
and  held  out  his  hand,  whic  I  knelt  and  kissed 
with  my  heart  on  my  lips. 

54 


I 


f 


f 


SPANISH    JOUX 


We  waited  until  the  King  had  left  the 
church,  making  his  way  on  foot  and  alone  to 
his  palace  alongside,  when  we  took  coach  again 
and  drove  towards  the  College.  I  could  see 
that  Father  Urbani  did  not  wish  to  be  dis- 
turbed, for  there  was  a  troubled  look  on  his 
face,  so  I  said  nothing,  but  leaned  back  with 
my  head  full  of  the  glorious  vision  I  had  just 
seen.  Had  any  one  dared  say  there  was  noth- 
ing in  meeting  with  a  sad-faced,  elderly  man 
alone  in  an  empty  church — a  man  who  claimed 
to  be  a  king  and  had  no  throne,  who  claimed 
to  be  a  king  and  had  no  country — I  would 
have  held  it  little  short  of  blasphemy.  To  me 
he  was  a  martyr  for  honour's  sake,  the  true 
head  of  my  nation  and  the  hope  of  all  loyal 
hearts.  So  I  leaned  back,  I  say,  with  these 
things  running  riot  through  my  head,  jumbled 
with  ohl  stories  of  Killicrankie  and  1715,  with 
old  songs  I  had  heard  from  a  child,  and  with 
thoughts  of  my  Uncle  Scottos,  until  I  was  sud- 
denly brought  back  to  earth  again  by  one  of 
Father  Urbani's  thin  old  hands  quietly  closing 
over  mine. 

"And  now,  Giovannini,  do  you  not  think 
you  can  go  back  to  school  again?"  he  asked. 

an 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  I  will,  father,  I  will ;  for  you  I  will  do  any- 
thing  I  am  able.  But  you  will  not  ask  me  to 
take  either  the  Mule  or  the  Horse  ?"  I  asked, 
my  old  trouble  coming  back  on  me  again. 

"  Have  no  more  fear,  my  dear  child,"  he 
said,  quietly ;  "  they  will  never  be  put  to  your 
offer.  You  have  been  punished  enough  by 
attending  on  an  old  man  like  me  for  three 
days."  And  as  he  embraced  me  tenderly  at 
parting  in  our  hall,  he  bade  me,  pointedly,  not 
to  attach  too  much  to  anything  we  had  seen. 


So  I  went  back  to  my  tasks  quite  content, 
and  continued  to  make  good  progress  and  give 
satisfaction,  though  I  could  not  altogether  obey 
our  good  Rector's  bidding  and  forget  that  lone- 
ly figure  of  the  Santi  Apostoli.  And  Angus 
and  I  whispered  our  secret  to  each  other  as  we 
lay  in  the  quiet  of  our  room  at  night. 

Now,  there  was  a  privilege  which  our  stu- 
dents had  above  those  of  all  other  colleges  in 
Rome,  which  was  that  any  two  of  us  might,  at 
certain  hours,  go  wherever  our  business  called 
us.  And  Angus  and  I  found  that  the  shortest 
way  for  all  our  business,  as  well  as  between 
the  CoUegio  Romano  and  the  via  Quattro  Fon- 


SPANISH    JUIIX 


tane,  was  by  the  little  street  of  the  Santi  Apos- 
toli,  whence  we  could  feast  our  eves  on  the 
Palace,  and  were  more  than  once  rewarded 
by  a  sight  of  His  Majesty  and  one  of  the 
Princes,  wliom  .we  afterwards  discovered  to 
be  the  Duke  of  York,  going  forth  to  take  the 
air  with  a  modest  following. 

Our  scheming  might  have  eruled  here  had  it 
not  been  for  Mr.  O'Rourke.  One  day,  when 
we  went  to  visit  him  at  tlie  College  of  the 
Propaganda,  he  said  :  "  I  hear  you  take  a  great 
many  walks  in  the  Santi  Apostoli,  young  gen- 
tlemen "  ;  at  which  we  were  much  put  out,  and 
begged  he  would  say  nothing  of  it,  for,  al- 
though we  had  not  been  forbidden,  we  felt 
there  were  good  reasons  against  its  being  men- 
tioned. But  he  relieved  us  with  his  merry 
laugh.  "  Faith,  not  I !  1  would  not  dream 
of  interfering  with  the  leanings  of  two  gentle- 
men such  as  you,  the  more  so  that  they  have 
a  bias  in  what  I  conceive  to  be  the  right 
direction.  Perhaps  you  do  not  know  I  am 
a  descendant  of  kings  myself,"  he  went  on, 
in  his  lively  fashion,  "and,  having  royal 
blood  flowing  freely  in  me,  can  enter  mto 
yoar  feelings  better  than  the  best  nobleman 

57 


TIF 


SPANISH    JOHN 

who  ever  ruled  over  your  honourable  Col- 
lege." 

This  was  a  hit  at  Fatlier  Urbani— and  I  sus- 
pect there  may  have  been  a  certain  jealousy 
between  the  Propaganda  and  the  Jesuits,  for 
the  array  is  not  the  only  fighting  body  in  the 
world  —  so  I  broke  in  with,  "None  of  your 
innuendoes,  if  you  please,  Mr.  O'Rourke.  We 
have  never  asked  Father  Urbani  to  enter  into 
our  feelings,  but  I  hold  him  qualified  to  en- 
ter into  the  best  thoughts  of  the  best  man  in 
Rome!" 

"  Soft  and  easy,  Signor  Giovannini  McDon- 
ellini,"  says  he,  always  laughing;  "your stom- 
ach is  high,  even  for  a  Highlander!  I  was 
only  about  to  propose,  on  my  first  free  day,  a 
visit  to  your  lode-star,  the  Palace  of  the  Santi 
Apostoli,  where,  thanks  to  my  royal  ancestr}', 
I  have  some  small  right  of  entry."  And  with 
the  words  he  took  the  anger  out  of  me  at  once. 

It  seemed  an  eternity  until  his  first  cong4, 
or  day  of  liberty,  came  round,  and  we  were  in 
waiting  long  before  the  appointed  hour.  We 
lost  no  time  in  setting  out,  but,  to  our  surprise, 
did  not  take  our  way  to  the  Palace  direct,  but 
went  instead  round  by  a  little  lane  leading  off 

US 


SPANISH    JOHN 


the  Piazza  Pilotta,  and  so  to  a  small  wicket, 
whereon  Mr.  O'Rourke  knocked  in  a  private 
manner,  while  we  held  our  breath  in  expecta- 
tion. The  door  was  opened  presently  by  an 
old  man,  to  whom  Mr.  O'Rourke  gave  some 
pass-word,  and  we  were  admitted,  not  to  the 
Palace  itself,  but  into  the  bare  and  mean  hall- 
way of  a  very  ordinary  house.  Before  we  had 
time  to  betray  our  disappointment,  however, 
we  passed  through  this  liall,  and  by  means  of 
a  hidden  door — hidden,  that  is,  by  a  seeming 
closet  or  wardrobe— we  stepped  out  into  the 
sunlight  again,  and,  to  our  great  delight,  found 
ourselves  in  what  we  did  not  doubt  were  the 
gardens  of  the  Palace. 

As  we  walked  up  a  path,  I  pulled  Mr. 
O'Rourke  by  the  sleeve. 

"What  is  it  The  said. 

"Oh,  Mr.  O'Rourke,"  I  whispered,  "I  wish 
we  had  our  Leghorn  cloaks."  At  which  he 
stopped,  and,  to  my  horror,  laughed  aloud, 
until  the  high,  empty  court  seemed  filled  with 
the  roar  of  his  burly  voice. 

"Don't,  Mr.  O'Rourke— pray  don't!  some 
one  will  hear  you !"  I  cried,  much  distressed. 

"  Hear  me?    Lord  bless  you,  they  wouldn't 

50 


SPANISH    JOHN 


give  a  rotten  fig  to  hear  me ;  but  you  are  worth 
a  whole  garden  of  figs,  with  the  vines  to  boot! 
For  a  mixture  of  a  bare- legged  Highlander  and 
a  half-feathered  priestlet,  you  are  the  most  pro- 
digious Bird-o'-Paradise  I  have  yet  met  with, 
Mr.  John  McDonell,  of  Scottos !" 

"  I  am  neither  a  priest  nor  a  peacock  yet, 
Mr.  O'Rourke,"  I  said,  indignantly,  "and  I 
was  not  thinking  of  myself  at  all,  but  only 
of  what  was  fitting  towards  Ilis  Majesty." 

But  he  only  laughed  at  me  the  more.  "  Your 
consideration  does  honour  to  your  heart,  but 
His  Majesty  has  not  as  3'et  appointed  me  his 
Master  of  Ceremonies,  tiiough  I  have  the  Priv- 
ilege of  the  Back  Stairs.  No,  no,  Giovannini, 
we'll  see  no  majesties  to-day,  and  the  cloak 
must  serve  for  when  you  are  in  better  com- 
pany than  that  of  a  poor  Irish  student,  whose 
only  riches  is  the  same  loyalty  that  warrants 
yourself.''  And  that  last  touch  melted  me,  and 
so,  hand  in  hand,  we  went  on  together. 

Then  Mr.  O'Rourke  explained  that  the  King 
and  the  Princes  were  to  attend  an  audience 
given  by  the  Pope  that  afternoon,  and  we  were 
free  to  go  over  tlie  Palace  under  the  guidance 
of  Mr.  Sheridan,  tutor  to  the  Princes. 

60  * 


S  P  A  M  S  11    J  u  li  S 

We  entered  the  Palace  with  awe  and  almost 
worship,  and  were  nia<le  welcome  bv  Mr.  Sheri- 
dan, who  most  kiiidlv  eiitiejited  us  to  satisfy 
our  curiosity  about  liis  Itoyal  (charges,  telling 
us  mucli  that  seemed  abnost  incredible,  for  I 
beUeve  we  iiad  an  i(U*a  that  a  Prince  must 
have  some  Divine  Right  of  Learning  by  which 
he  was  excused  both  table  and  svlhibus.  In 
the  Prince's  waiting-room  we  found  Mr.  \rur- 
ray,  son  of  Sir  David  Murray  of  Broughton, 
a  young  man  of  pleasing  address,  afterwards 
so  widely  known  as  Mr.  Secretary  Murray, 
and  then  in  some  position  about  the  Prince. 
He  made  much  of  us,  asking  us  about  our  peo- 
ple, but  had  not  that  knowledge  of  our  fami- 
lies I  would  have  looked  for  in  one  in  his  posi- 
tion. However,  we  did  not  attach  overmuch 
to  this,  as  his  welcome  was  hearty,  and  he 
lifted  us  to  the  height  of  expectation  by  say- 
ing: "Well,  young  gentlemen,  you  fall  on  a 
lucky  day,  for  His  Koyal  Highness  has  not  left, 
and  I  doubt  not  will  see  you";  and,  before  we 
could  make  any  reply,  he  withdrew,  leaving  us 
in  a  state  beyond  my  poor  powers  to  describe. 


Before  we  had  recovered,  the  door  opened, 

61 


Sl'ANISH    J()li\ 

and  His  Royal  Flighness,  the  Prinoe  of  Wales, 
stood  before  us.  He  was  dressed  in  full  court 
costume,  with  all  his  orders,  his  handsome  face 
bright  with  a  smile  of  welcome;  and  as  he 
came  forward  and  then  paused,  Mr.  O'Rourke 
gathered  his  composure  first  and  knelt  and 
kissed  his  hand. 

We  were  about  to  follow,  but  the  Prince 
would  have  it  otherwise,  restraining  us  as  he 
said,  laughingly:  '*  No,  no;  a  hand -grasp  is 
ceremony  enough  between  us.  In  meeting 
with  Highlanders  I  feel  I  am  among  comrades 
with  whom  I  may  stand  back-to-back  some 
day,  and  that,  perhaps,  not  so  far  distant.  But 
tell  me  of  Clanranald,''  he  said,  quickly,  to 
Angus;  ^^his  son  is  a  gallant  gentleman,  I 
hear,  and  you,  I  understand,  are  his  cousin.'* 

Angus  gave  him  such  information  as  he  had 
received  of  late,  whereupon  the  Prince  ques- 
tioned us  on  both  our  families,  calling  them  all 
properly  by  name — Scottos,  Glengarry,  Baris- 
dale,  and  others — without  a  single  mistake. 
"  Do  not  be  surprised  I  should  know  you  all," 
he  said,  smiling ;  ^'  His  Majesty  and  I  are  never 
tired  hearing  of  the  names  that  are  dear  to  us." 

Then  be  questioned  us  somewhat— but  not 

62 


SPANISH    .10  UN 


too  closely — of  ourselves,  and  we  were  able  to 
answer  without  confusion,  so  gracious  was  his 
manner  an<l  so  friendly  his  dark-brown  eyes. 

"  Do  you  ever  think,"  he  said,  changing  sud- 
denly, "  what  it  means  never  to  have  known 
your  own  country  i  You  are  happier  far  than 
I,  for  some  (hiy  you  will  return  home  to  the 
land  you  love,  and  I,  when  I  put  my  foot  upon 
it,  must  do  so  as  a  stranger  and  an  outcast, 
taking  my  life  in  ray  hand." 

"Your  Royal  Highness,"  I  said,  "every 
loyal  heart  in  the  Highlands  l)eats  for  you, 
and  every  true  arm  will  draw  for  you  when- 
ever you  come !"  And  the  tears  stood  in  my 
eyes  so  that  I  could  hardly  see  him  before  me. 

"  God  grant  it,"  he  answered,  fervidly.  Then, 
laying  a  hand  on  my  shoulder,  be  said :  "  And 
now  let  me  hear  the  Gaelic.  I  love  the  very 
sound  of  it !" 

My  Uncle  Scottos'  constant  toast  sprang  at 
once  to  my  lips :  " '  Soraidh  do'n  Bhata  'tha  Air 
saille  'y  d'on  tsoirbheas  a  tha'  scideadh  agus 
do  na  cridheachan  a  tha'  feitheamh  teachd  a' 
Phrionnsa !' " 

"  What  is  it  ?"  he  asked,  eagerly. 

"  •  Good  luck  to  the  boat  that  is  at  sea  and  to 


SPANISH    J  u  IJ  N 

the  breeze  that  is  blowin^r,  and  to  the  hearts 
that  are  waiting  fortljeComingof  thePrincer" 
I  answered,  turning  it  into  such  English  as  I 
niiglit. 

" '  Tlie  Coming  of  the  Prince — the  Coming  of 
the  Prince,' "  lie  repeated  over  to  himself.  But 
here  Mr.  Murray  ventured  to  cough,  meaningly, 
and  the  Prince  said,  as  if  in  answer,  "  Yes,  yes ; 
I  must  go,"  and,  ^.  ith  the  words  that  we  would 
meet  again,  he  slK>ok  hands  with  us  all  and 
witiidrew. 

3  am  an  old  man  now,  and  have  seen  every 
hope  of  the  Cause  I  once  held  dearer  than  life 
blasted  b<»yond  recovery ;  but  no  personal 
knowledge  of  the  tiable  failure,  no  evil  re- 
port of  the  lieai't- breaking  degradation,  the 
sellishness,  aitd  self-destruction  of  all  tiiat  was 
noble  and  kinglike  in  that  beautiful  young 
life — (ioti  pity  me  I  should  write  such  words 
of  one  so  dear!— have  availe<l  even  to  dim  the 
Godlike  presence  that  revealed  itself  before  us 
so  graciously  on  that  November  afternoon  in 
the  Palace  (»f  the  Saiiti  Apostoli. 


Probably  no  one  to-day  can  know  what  such 
a  meeting  meant  to  a  lad  brought  up  as  I  had 

64 


SPANISH    JOHN 

been.  All  my  life  long  had  I  heard  stories  of 
devotion  for  the  sake  of  the  exiled  family.  I 
knew  of  no  time  when  life  and  fortune  was  not 
regarded  as  their  rightful  due  from  their  ad- 
lierents.  I  had  been  brought  up  to  believe  in 
them  and  to  hope  for  them  until  hope  had 
grown  into  faith  and  faith  jnto  worship. 

My  heart  was  full  and  my  head  ringing  with 
excitement,  so  I  can  recall  little  or  nothing  of 
the  remainder  of  that  memorable  afternoon 
save  my  wonder,  when  we  stepped  out  into 
the  street  again,  to  find  men  and  women  go 
ing  about  their  business  just  as  if  nothing  had 
happened.  It  did  not  seem  possible,  when  my 
whol*^  life  was  changed.  I  was  so  bewildered 
I  could  scarce  believe  it  was  tlio  same  world 
again.  I  coulil  not  talk  or  en'cn  listen  to  l^r. 
O'liourke;  as  foi*  An.«;us.  I  paid  no  heed  to  his 
chatturat  all,  and  it  was  only  when  wo  paused 
in  the  Piazza  di  Spagna  to  bid  good-bye  tOi)ur 
friend  that  1  found  some  words  to  thank  liim^ 
and  promised  to  see  him  a;^aln  on  the  follow- 
ing riiursday. 


iuch 
had 


Was  there  ever  so  long  a  week  ?     My  lessons 
were  poorly  committed ;  not  that  I  was  dull, 

K  60 


SPANISH    JOHN 


but  my  head  was  so  full  of  other  thoughts 
I  had  no  room  for  anything  else,  while  ever 
between  me  and  my  books  there  came  that 
glorious  figure,  brave  in  silks  and  velvet,  with 
jewelled  sword  by  its  side  and  flashing  or- 
ders on  its  breast,  till  I  could  no  longer 
see  my  task,  and  in  my  ears  rang  that  clear, 
pleasant  voice  forever  calling,  calling.  Surely, 
if  any  one  was  bewitched  in  Rome  that  week, 
it  was  Giovannini  McDonell,  of  the  Scots 
College. 

My  former  record  alone  Icept  me  from  losing 
my  holiday,  and  as  soon  as  I  was  free  I  was 
off  to  the  College  of  the  Propaganda,  though 
Angus  was  not  altogether  set  on  passing  an- 
other holiday  within  doors.  I  was  dreaming 
of  another  visit,  though  I  hardly  dared  hope 
for  it ;  but  Mr.  O'Rourke  put  an  end  to  such 
thoughts  by  his  first  words. 

"  Welcome,  my  Highland  gentlemen  !  Can 
you  put  up  with  the  poor  hospitality  of  this 
withered  sprig  of  royalty  instead  of  talking 
real  treason  face  to  face  with  exiled  Princes'^ 
Were  I  King  George  Pd  make  it  a  crime  to 
send  little  Highland  bantams  to  Home  to  turn 
them  into  rebel  game-cocks." 


SPANISH   JOHN 


But  I  saw  he  was  for  drawing  me  on — an 
exercise  at  which  he  was  expert,  and  which 
gave  him  great  pleasure — and  so,  refusing  to 
be  angered,  I  answered  with  much  good-na- 
ture: "Indeed,  Mr.  O'Rourke,  I  believe  you 
to  be  as  great  a  rebel  yourself  as  any  in  the 
Three  Kingdoms." 

"Why  should  I  not  be,  boy?"  he  asked, 
sternly.  "  If  I  and  mine  had  remained  at 
home,  no  matter  what  souls  God  gave  us,  we 
would  be  fo»*'ied  to  herd  with  the  swine  and  die 
with  the  Tjsuj.  Abroad  we  can  at  least  wear 
',vith  some  lionour  the  names  our  fathers  be- 
queathed to  us,  and  when  death  comes  we  can 
die  like  gentlemen  in  the  faith  into  which  our 
mothers  bore  us.  But  as  to  your  politics,"  he 
said,  changing  to  his  usual  manner,  '^  I  would 
not  give  a  fig  for  the  whole  box  and  dice.  I 
neither  whistle  for  *  Blackbirds'  nor  run  after 
'White  Horses.'  If  I  had  my  rights,  'tis  an 
independent  kingdom  I'd  liave  in  my  own 
family.  'Tis  Duke  or  Crown  Prince  of  Brefni 
I'd  be  myself,  or  perhaps  a  kind  of  a  i'ope  of 
my  own,  and  when  I'd  s[>eak  to  the  likes  of 
you,  'tis  weeping  so  hard  for  joy  you'd  be  that 

you'H  take  the  shine  out  of  all  my  jewels!'' 

67 


i 


Mil 


'•] 


SPANISH    JOHN 

And  8o  on,  with  a  brogue  as  broad  as  if  Tip- 
perary  was  in  the  next  room,  and  riiacaroni 
and  Italian  had  never  replaced  the  potatoes 
and  the  speech  he  had  left  behind. 

Finding  I  would  take  no  offence,  he  was 
somewhat  dashed  and  gave  over  his  attempt ; 
so  we  went  off  for  a  stroll  and  were  all  merry 
together. 

When  we  parted  he  told  us  with  much  em- 
phasis that  Mr.  Murray  had  sent  particular 
word  that  we  would  be  admitted  by  the  same 
door  on  the  following  Thursday,  shewing  me 
the  knock  and  bidding  me  give  the  word 
"  Gaeta  "  to  the  porter. 

It  proved  a  quieter  week  for  me,  and  Thurs^ 
day  found  us  in  the  little  lane,  whence  we 
made  our  way  into  the  Palace  gardens,  as  be- 
fore, where  we  foimd  Mr.  Sheridan  awaiting 
us,  who  led  us  to  Mr.  Murray's  chamber.  He 
was  wonderfully  busy  with  iiis  writing,  but 
turned  from  it  to  entertain  us,  and  shewed  us 
such  attention  it  was  no  wonder  our  heads 
were  nearly  turned.  lie  questioned  us  much 
about  our  plans,  and.  when  he  found  I  had  no 
leaning  towards  the  Church,  made  no  scruple 
to  belittle  the  calling  of  a  priest,  and  seemed 

68 


SPANISH    JOHN 

much  pleased  when  I  told  him  of  my  mind  to 
take  up  arms  as  my  profession. 

That  same  day  he  made  us  known  to  a 
Lieutenant  Butler,  a  younger  man  than  him- 
self, who  was  in  wluit  was  once  known  as 
"  Burke's  Foot,"  now  serving  King  Carlo  Bor- 
bone  in  Naples  and  styltMl  there  the  **  Regi- 
ment Irhindia,"  after  tlie  old  brigade  in  Spain. 
The  very  name  of  my  Uncle's  old  regiment 
was  an  intoxication  to  me,  and  any  man  who 
had  to  do  with  it  had  a  claim  to  my  worship; 
so  when  Lieutenant  Butler  very  obligingly  told 
me  I  might  wait  u|xm  him  at  his  lo<lging  in 
the  via  Bocca  di  Leone,  my  heart  beat  with 
gratitude  and  delight ;  and  so  off  we  went  to 
wait  through  another  week. 


At  Lieutenant  Butler's  another  and  a  greater 
surprise  awaited  us,  for  there  we  were  intro- 
duced to  Colonel  Donald  MacDonuell,  in  com- 
maiid  of  the  Company  St.  James,  of  the  Regi- 
ment Irlandia— a  very  tall  and  handsome  man, 
but  so  swarthy  that  he  looked  more  like  to  a 
Spaniard  than  an  Irishman.  But  Irishmnn  ho 
was  in  spite  of  his  foreign  looks,  for  his  father, 
the  Lieutenant-Oeneral  commanding  the  regi- 

m 


SPANISH    JOHN 

ment,  was  direct  in  his  descent  from  the  Mayo 
MacDonnells,  and  as  pure  a  Jacobite  as  ever 
drew  sword  for  the  Rightful  Succession.  Here, 
too,  we  also  met  a  Mr.  O'Reilly,  ensign  in  the 
same  service,  whom  I  looked  upon  with  much 
envy,  as  he  was  not  greatly  my  superior  in 
years. 

Colonel  MacDonnell  at  once  began  to  ques- 
tion me  touching  my  Uncle  Scottos,  and  very 
willingly  did  I  tell  the  story  of  his  campaigns, 
especially  those  of  Italy,  where,  at  the  defence 
of  Cremona,  he  was  thanked  before  the  regi- 
ment and  received  his  first  promotion.  I  told 
also  of  Alicant,  in  Spain,  where  he  was  joined 
to  the  dragoons  under  the  Count  O'Mahony, 
and  where,  battered  and  starved  beyond  belief 
after  twenty-seven  days'  active  siege  and  storm- 
ing, thirty-six  dragoons,  with  as  many  French 
and  sixty  <Mght  Neapolitans,  surrendei'ed,  and 
marched  out  with  all  the  honours  of  war — 
drums  am!  fifes  playing,  coloui-s  flying,  and 
matches  lighted — dragging  their  four  cannon 
and  two  mortam  after  them. 

They  let  me  talk  on,  like  the  boastful  boy  I 
was,  until  I  (»nded  with  the  attempt  of  1716, 
when  my  Unole  Scottos  left  the  service  until 


•; 


i 


SPANISH    JOHN 


such  time  came  as  he  might  take  up  the  quar- 
rel once  more. 

"  'Tis  a  good  song,  well  sung,"  said  the  Col- 
onel, smiling  at  my  heat ;  "  but  how  comes 
it  a  lad  with  such  a  backing  behind  him 
is  content  with  a  long  robe  and  a  book,  in- 
stead of  dancing  in  blue  coat  and  gaiters  to 
the  rattat-tat  of  the  drum ?" 

"  Oh,  sir,  'tis  what  I  long  for  more  than  all 
else  in  the  world  !  Let  me  follow  you,  and  see 
if  I  am  not  a  soldier  born  I  I  know  some- 
thing of  fence  now,  and  as  for  the  rest,  I  will 
study  at  it  night  and  day." 

"  You  would  prove  an  apt  pupil,  no  doubt," 
said  the  Colonel;  "and  what  says  Angus  ?" 

But  to  my  shame  Angus  said  nothing  save 
"  that  he  would  see,"  and  I  knew  well  what 
that  meant — it  just  meant  no,  in  the  most  un- 
satisfactory and  weary  a  manner  a  man  can 
put  it ;  but  he  proffered  nothing  further,  and 
I  was  withheld  by  the  presence  of  the  com- 
pany from  expressing  my  thoughts. 

But  the  Colonel  only  laughed  with  great 
good-nature,  and  said :  "  Well,  well,  when  you 
make  up  your  mind,  let  me  know  if  it  is  favour- 
able to  me.    As  for  you,  you  young  fire-eater," 

71 


r 


1 1 


n 


■i 


SPANISH    JOHN 

he  added,  turning  to  me,  "  I  won't  have  any 
runaways  about  me !"  At  which  I  was  much 
abashed,  as  I  could  not  protest  that  such  a 
thought  was  foreign  to  me,  for  I  was  plotting 
at  it  even  as  he  spoke.  "  If  you  join,"  he 
went  on,  "you  must  do  so  in  such  manner  as 
will  not  shame  your  Uncle  Scottos.  I  will  see 
Father  Urbani  myself  and  find  what  he  says 
about  you  ;  and  if  he  gives  you  a  good  rating, 
and  his  permission,  then  you  shall  join  like  a 
gentleman."  So  with  this  I  wus  forced  to  be 
content. 

"Well,  Angus,"  I  began,  the  moment  we 
were  in  the  street,  "  a  pretty  shewing  you 
have  made  for  yourself  with  your  *  we  will 
sees '  before  gentlemen  t  I  hope  you  are  wel} 
satisfied )" 

"  I'm  not  exactly  put  out,"  says  he,  very 
dry. 

"  Indeed  ?  And  you  call  yourself  Clanran- 
ald  1"  I  snorted,  full  of  scorn. 

"My  father  always  told  me  I  had  every 
right  to!"  says  he,  provoking  me  to  the  ut- 
most with  his  pretended  quiet.  "  And  what 
is  more,  I  never  yet  heard  that  any  of  my 

79 


SPANISH    JOHN 

name  must  needs  take  up  with  the  first  re- 
cruiting-officer he  comes  across.'* 

"  Angus  McDonald  1"  I  cried, "  if  we  weren't 
in  the  open  street  I'd  thrash  you  within  an 
inch  of  your  life  1" 

"Oh  no,  you  wouldn't,  nor  yet  within  a 
mile  of  it  I  I'm  no  more  afraid  of  you  than  I 
am  of  the  Irish  officers  you're  so  hot  after." 

Fortunate  it  was  for  the  good  name  of  the 
college  that  we  c:iaght  sight  of  the  Supe- 
rior at  that  moment,  for  I  do  not  believe  hu- 
man patience  could  have  held  out  longer  than 
mine  had  done.  Indeed,  so  much  was  I  exer- 
cised that  the  Superior  saw  at  once  something 
was  wrong,  and  it  was  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty we  contrived  to  keep  our  cause  of  differ- 
ence from  him. 


I  was  burning  for  Father  Urbani  to  send 
for  me,  but  one  day  after  another  passed  with- 
out word,  and  when  next  I  saw  Lieutenant 
Butler  he  could  give  me  no  hint  of  when  Colo- 
nel MacDonnell  was  likely  to  speak,  for  he 
had  uh'eady  left  Rome  and  his  return  was  un- 
certain. Had  I  not  been  so  busy  the  waiting 
would  have  been  weary  work   indeed,  but 


r 


SPANISH    JOHN 


every  day  I  was  making  new  acquaintance — 
for  in.  a  measure  I  was  made  free  of  the  Pal- 
ace, being  readily  admitted  by  the  little  door 
and  made  welcome  by  Mr.  ^lurmy,  Mr.  Sheri- 
dan, and  other  gentlemen.  Every  day  I  saw 
new  faces,  and  soon  lost  my  backwardness, 
learning  to  bear  myself  without  blushing  or 
stammering,  or  any  sucli  school -boy  tricks. 
Angus  was  seldom  with  me  now,  and,  indeed, 
I  was  not  sorry,  for  he  seemed  to  have  but 
small  stomach  for  the  business  and  preferred 
to  stick  to  his  books. 

At  length,  one  cold  day  in  winter,  as  I  was 
hurrying  across  the  Corso,  hugging  my  sopra- 
no close  about  me,  on  my  way  to  the  Santi 
Apostoli,  I  caught  sight  of  Colonel  MacDon- 
nell  and  eagerly  accosted  him. 

"Well  met,  my  little  church  mouse!"  he 
said,  passing  his  arm  around  my  shoulder  in 
such  a  manner  as  took  the  sting  out  of  his 
jest.  "  Where  are  you  scurrying  to  on  such 
a  cold  day  as  this?" 

"  To  the  Santi  Apostoli,  sir,"  I  answered. 

" To  the  Church,  or  the  Palace?" 

"  To  the  Palace,  sir,"  I  said,  with  some  pride. 

He  stopped  short,  and  putting  his  two  hands 

74 


SPANISH    JOHN 


on  my  shoulders,  said,  very  gravely :  "  I  am 
sorry  to  hear  that,  my  lad.  How  did  this 
come  about  ?" 

I  told  him  all  without  hesitation.  When  T 
had  made  an  end,  he  heaved  a  great  sigh  and 
then  moved  on  again.  When  he  spoke  it  was 
in  a  slow,  thoughtful  manner,  as  if  to  him- 
self. "  At  it  already  !  Well,  well,  I  suppose 
it  could  not  be  helped.  But,  upon  my  soul, 
lad,"  he  said,  suddenly,  as  if  waking  up,  '<  I 
would  nearly  as  soon  see  you  a  priest  as  in 
with  these  gentry  1" 

"  How  so,  sir  ?"  I  said,  in  surprise. 

"  You  would  not  understand,"  he  said,  more 
gently.  "When  the  day  comes, out  with  your 
sword,  if  you  must,  and  strike — I  would  be 
the  last  to  say  you  nay — but  this  chamber- 
plotting  and  convert-making,  I  despise  it  all ! 
Whom  have  you  met  there  ?" 

I  told  him,  and  of  how  kind  many  of  the  gen- 
tlemen had  been  to  me,  in  particular  Mr.  Mur- 
ray and  Mr.  Sheridan. 

"  I  know  nothing  bad  of  either  of  them," 
he  said,  in  a  disdainful  way.  "  But  you  have 
no  call  to  be  in  such  company  at  your  age. 
I  shall  speak  to  Father  ITrbani  before  I  leave 

76 


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SPANISH    JOHN 

Rome  this  time,  and,  if  he  permits,  you  bhall 
have  a  training  that  will  fit  you  for  something 
better  than  any  one  of  this  secret-whispering 
pack  will  ever  come  to.  I  will  make  a  soldier 
of  you,  McDonell,  which  is  the  best  use  God 
ever  made  of  man,  and  the  best  use  you  can 
make  of  yourself  for  your  King.  But  come,  I 
am  going  to  the  Palace  myself,  only  you  must 
go  through  the  Piazza  and  not  by  any  back 
door,  like  a  lackey  or  a  priest." 

So  we  went  on  together  across  the  Place 
and  through  the  main  entrance,  where  the 
guards  saluted  the  Colonel  as  we  passed  hand- 
in-hand,  and  I  could  not  but  feel  I  had  shared 
in  the  honour.  I  was  left  in  a  waiting-room 
while  the  Colonel  was  closeted  with  the  King, 
and  wLen  he  joined  us  again  we  went  through 
to  a  large  room  where  quite  a  company  of 
gentlemen  were  gathered. 

After  greeting  some  of  them,  and  bowing 
somewhat  haughtily  to  the  room  at  large,  the 
Colonel  seated  himself  at  a  table,  while  I  re- 
mained standing  near  him  looking  round  the 
company  with  some  curiosity,  for  there  were 
many  new  faces,  and  the  Colonel's  words  had 
set  me  to  wondering  why  he  should  hold  so 

76 


SPANISH    JOHN 


lightly  these  men  whom  I  had  believed  most 
devoted  of  all  to  the  King. 

I  was  thus  engaged  in  my  survey  and  spec- 
ulation, when  I  caught  sight  of  a  face  that 
struck  me  like  a  blow  and  sent  the  blood 
tingling  through  every  vein  in  ray  body. 
There,  only  separated  from  me  by  the  width 
of  the  room,  modishly  dressed  and  smiling, 
stood  Captain  Creach  conversing  with  two 
gentlemen.  He  saw  me  at  the  same  moment, 
but  his  white  face  gave  no  more  sign  than  a 
face  of  stone,  and  he  went  on  with  his  talk  as 
quietly  as  if  I  had  beeh  at  Aqiiapendente  and 
he  alone  in  Kome. 

I  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  —  indeed,  hesi- 
tation has  seldom  been  one  of  my  faults — but 
making  my  way  across  the  room,  I  stepped 
close  to  him  and  said,  in  as  calm  a  tone  as  I 
could  command :  "  Captain  Creach,  I  am  sur- 
prised to  see  you  in  Rome !" 

The  three  gentlemen  all  faced  me  at  my 
speech,  and  Creach,  without  a  change  in  his 
wicked  face,  said :  "  Young  sir,  is  your  ad- 
dress intended  for  me  ?" 

"  I  spoke  to  you  by  name,  sir,"  I  said,  with 
distinctness. 

77 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  Then  am  I  famous,  indeed,"  said  he,  laugh- 
ing lightly. 

"  You  may  laugh,  Captain  Creach,"  said  I, 
and  was  going  on,  but  he  interrupted  me, 
speaking  very  civilly,  but  angering  me  all  the 
more  for  it : 

"  I  see  b}'^  your  dress  you  are  of  the  Scots 
College,  young  gentleman" — for,  as  usual,  I 
had  on  my  purple  soutane  with  its  crimson 
sash,  and  over  it  my  black,  sleeveless  sopra- 
no, with  my  three-cornered  hat  under  my 
arm — "  but  there  is  one  lesson  you  have  not 
as  yet  learned,  and  that  is,  how  to  address 
a  gentleman.  I  am  not  Captain  Creach,  as 
you  imagine,  but  Captain  Graeme,  late  of  the 
Hungarian  service,  and,  to  the  best  of  my  be- 
lief, this  is  the  first  time  I  have  ever  had  the 
honour  of  addressing  you." 

He  was  so  quiet  and  cool  that  I  was  dum- 
founded;  but  1  knew  he  was  lying,  though  I 
had  never  heard  a  gentleman  lie  before. 

"Not  Captain  Creach?  Not  Captain 
Creach  ?"  I  stammered. 

"  No,  sir,  *  Not  Captain  Creach,' "  he  repeat- 
ed, mocking  me,  whereat  some  of  the  gentle- 
men laughed,  but  one  of  them  broke  in  with : 

78 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  Damn  it !  this  comes  of  bringing  brats 
where  they  have  no  business.  Creach !  You 
little  fool !  This  is  no  more  Creach  than  you 
are.  This  is  Captain  Graeme,  late  of  the  Im- 
perial service.  There,  beg  his  pardon  now, 
and  don't  put  your  foot  in  it  again,  like  a 
wise  lad,"  and  his  tone  was  kind,  though  his 
words  were  rough. 

"  Your  pardon,  sir,"  I  said,  "  but  this  is 
Captain  Creach,  of  the  Kegiraent  Irlandia;  I 
have  reason  to  know  him  only  too  well." 

"  Here,  MacDonnell,"  called  out  my  new 
acquaintance,  "  this  bantling  of  yours  is  doing 
you  no  credit ;  come  here  and  smooth  him 
down." 

The  Colonel  rose,  frowning,  and  came  over 
to  where  we  formed  a  centre,  Creach  standing 
on  one  foot  and  tapping  the  other  wit.  his 
long,  fashionable  cane. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?"  he  said,  severely. 

"  Colonel  MacDonnell,"  I  cried,  "  may  I 
say  a  word  to  you  in  private?"  and  seeing 
I  was  in  deadly  earnest,  he  took  me  into  an 
anteroom  and  bade  me  speak. 

Then  I  told  him  the  whole  story  of  our  ad- 
venture at  Aquapendente,  and  that  I  was  as 

79 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I 


I 


r 


sure  this  man  was  Creach  as  I  was  I  bad  a 
soul.  "  I  don't  care  what  he  says,  sir,  that  is 
Captain  Creach,  of  the  Regiment  Irlandia." 

"My  dear  lad,"  he  said,  firmly,  "get  that 
notion  out  of  your  head  at  once.  We  have 
not,  and  never  had  in  my  day,  any  Captain 
Creach,  or  any  man  of  the  name,  even  in  our 
ranks.  There  is  a  Captain  Creach  in  Lord 
Clare's  Regiment,  whom  I  know  for  a  gallant 
gentleman,  but  he  has  not  seen  Italy  for  many 
a  long  year.  Now,  wait  a  moment — will  you 
apologize  to  this  gentleman  ?" 

"  No,  sir,  saving  your  presence,  I  will  not." 

"  Very  well ;  that  is  settled.  WU  you  give 
me  a  promise?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  will  promise  you  anything  I 
may  with  honour." 

"That  is  right.  You  cannot  be  too  care- 
ful of  that  last,"  he  said,  smiling,  and  then 
went  on  gravely :  "  My  boy,  I  hope  some 
day  to  have  you  under  my  own  eye  in  my 
own  company,  and  till  then  I  want  you  to 
do  what  is  best  to  bear  yourself  with  credit. 
Now  promise  me  again  you  will  do  as  I  ask, 
on  your  honour.'* 

"  I  will,  sir,  on  my  honour." 

80 


Si*ANI8ri    JOHN 

"  Then  you  will  never  come  within  these 
doors  again  unless  the  King  sends  for  you, 
and  as  soon  as  you  go  home  you  will  tell 
Father  Urbani  where  you  have  been  this 
winter.    Do  you  understand  ?" 

"  I  do,  sir." 

"  Very  well.  Now,  honour  for  honour.  I 
will  take  up  your  affair  with  this  man  Creach, 
or  Graeme,  or  whatever  else  he  may  call  him- 
self, and  you  may  rest  satisfied  that  your 
quarrel  will  not  suffer.  And  now,  God  bless 
you,  my  lad,  and  when  you  are  older  you  will 
thank  me  for  this  day's  work.  Good-bye  I" 
And  he  shook  my  hand  warmly,  and  stood 
watching  me  until  I  passed  out  into  the  hall. 


I  may  as  well  admit  here,  that  at  times  I  am 
slow  at  displacing  any  idea  which  has  once 
taken  root  in  my  mind,  and  it  was  not  until 
some  years  after  I  conceived  the  explanation 
that  Creach  was  never  this  fellow's  name  at 
all,  but  for  some  reason  best  known  to  himself 
he  had  chosen  to  fare  under  it  when  we  met 
with  him  at  Aquapendente,  otherwise  honour- 
able men  would  never  have  answered  for  him 
as  they  did.  But  this  is  by  the  way. 
r  81 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I  went  forth  from  the  Palace  with  my  head 
in  a  whirl;  for,  though  I  was  satisfied  with 
the  part  I  had  played  towards  Creach,  there 
was  my  promise  to  the  Colonel,  and,  despite 
every  effort  I  might  make,  my  visits  did  not 
appear  to  me  so  defensible  as  before.  I  tried 
to  argue  to  myself  that  I  had  not  been  for- 
bidden; but,  somehow,  that  did  not  seem  suffi- 
cient, and  I  was  the  more  uncomfortable  when 
I  called  to  mind  the  Colonel's  dislike  of  the 
company  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of  keeping. 

However,  it  must  be  faced,  and  so,  after  the 
evening  meal,  I  asked  to  be  allowed  to  see  the 
Rector  and  was  admitted  to  his  room.  When 
I  entered  he  was  sitting  at  his  table  alone, 
and  somehow,  when  I  saw  his  kind  old  face, 
I  knew  suddenly  why  none  of  my  excuses 
would  answer ;  I  had  been  deceiving  this  old 
man  who  had  been  like  a  father  to  me,  who 
had  never  treated  me  save  with  kindness,  and 
had  trusted  me  without  questioning.  I  was 
so  overcome  that  I  could  not  speak — over- 
whelmed with  an  utter  sense  of  wretchedness 
— until  he  stretched  out  his  hand  and  said, 
gently, "  Come." 

"Oh,  Father,"  I  cried,  "let  me  leave  the 

82 


SPANISH    JOttX 


College!  Let  me  go  away!"  too  miserable 
to  think  of  anything  else. 

"  No,  no,  Giovannini.  That  would  be  a 
coward's  way  of  meeting  trouble.  Come,  tell 
me  what  the  matter  is,  and  we'll  see  if  there 
is  not  some  better  way  out  than  turning  j^our 
back  on  it,"  and  he  patted  me  on  the  cheek  as 
if  I  were  still  a  child.  Indeed,  I  felt  like  one 
then,  and  for  the  matter  of  that  always  did 
when  talking  with  him. 

So  I  blundered  out  the  story  of  my  doings, 
to  all  of  which  he  listened  in  his  quiet,  gentle 
way,  helping  me  out  when  I  found  it  hard  to 
go  on,  until  the  whole  story  was  told,  where- 
upon I  felt  a  mighty  relief,  for  the  worst  was 
now  over  and  I  had  quite  made  up  my  mind 
as  to  what  part  I  would  take  from  now  on. 

After  all,  he  did  not  say  very  much  in  the 
way  of  blame,  except  that  should  I  ever  meet 
with  Colonel  MacDonnell  again  the  first  duty 
I  had  before  me  was  to  request  his  pardon 
for  mixing  him  up  in  my  affairs,  as  if  the 
Colonel  of  a  regiment  had  nothing  else  to 
do  than  look  after  a  school -boy's  quarrels. 
"Among  plotters  and  schemers,"  he  said,  with 
some  touch  of  scorn,  "you  must  meet  with 

88 


I 


!; 

f 


SPANISH    JOHN 

strange  company,  and,  if  you  will  take  up 
with  such,  you  may  have  to  welcome  '  Captain 
Creachs '  and  worse.  Now  I  am  not  going  to 
talk  with  you  to-night,  and  I  want  you  to 
think  the  matter  well  over  until  I  have  seen 
Colonel  MacDonnell  and  have  determined 
what  is  best  to  be  done.  I  am  only  sorry, 
Giovannini,  that  you  have  not  trusted  in  3^our 
best  friend."  And  with  a  heavy  heart  I  said 
good -night,  and  took  my  way  to  my  room 
alone. 

In  the  morning  word  was  brought  to  me 
that  I  was  to  remain  in  my  room,  which  I  did 
all  the  more  gladly  as  it  promised  veil  for 
the  gravity  of  my  case,  for  above  all  things 
what  I  most  feared  was  its  being  taken  as 
merely  a  boy's  whim.  However,  I  was  speed- 
ily assured  of  its  importance  by  the  visit  of 
one  of  our  Jesuit  fathers,  who  very  soon  in- 
troduced his  mission  and  began  to  urge  his 
arguments  why  1  should  continue  my  studies 
and  some  day  prepare  for  the  priesthood.  But 
this  I  resented  at  once,  saying,  "  Sir,  I  was 
left  here  for  reflection  by  the  order  of  the 
Bector,  and  I  have  no  wish  to  be  disturbed." 

84 


SPANISH    JOHN 


A  bint  he  was  wise  enough  to  take;  and, 
grumbling  something  about  ''like  father,  like 
son,"  he  left  me  once  more  alone. 

My  next  interruption  was  an  order  to  wait 
on  Father  Urbani,  which  I  did  with  great 
readiness,  and  to  my  joy  saw  that  his  reflec- 
tions had  not  rendered  him  any  less  kindly  to 
me  or  my  hopes. 

"Well,  my  dear  Giovannini,"  he  said,  "so 
you  did  not  wish  to  discuss  your  future  with 
Father  Paolo.  He  tells  me  that  you  have 
caught  somewhat  of  the  brusqueness  of  the 
camp  already."    But  his  smiling  reassured  me. 

"  No,  Father,"  I  said, "  I  held,  in  the  absence 
of  my  own  father,  you  are  the  only  one  to 
whom  I  am  bound  in  such  matters ;  but  I  had 
no  intent  to  be  rude." 

So,  with  this  introduction,  we  began  our  ar- 
gument, and  to  all  he  said  I  assented,  but  as- 
sured him  I  should  make  but  a  sorry  priest 
if  my  heart  were  always  in  another  calling. 
"  My  father  promised  that  neither  he  nor  you 
would  force  me  to  become  a  priest  against 
my  will,  and  I  can  never  be  happy  unless  I 
have  a  right  to  wear  a  sword  by  my  side,"  I 
ended. 


im  ?| 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Thereupon,  seeing  my  mind  so  firmly  re- 
solved, he  bade  me  prepare  for  a  visit  to  the 
Cardinal  Protector,  and  in  all  haste  I  made 
myself  ready.  The  truth  is,  now  that  I  saw 
Father  Urbani  had  yielded,  I  would  have 
faced  His  Holiness  the  Pope  with  the  whole 
College  behind  him,  without  a  second  thought. 

So  we  took  our  way  in  a  coach  to  the  Pal- 
ace, and  were  ushered  into  the  presence  of  the 
Cardinal  with  the  usual  ceremonies.  He  was 
a  thin  old  man,  with  a  long,  dark  face  and  a 
grumbling  voice.  We  partook  of  chocolate 
and  sugar  biscuits,  and  made  polite  conversa- 
tion until  the  object  of  our  visit  was  broached ; 
thereupon,  a  mighty  storm  began — that  is,  a 
storm  from  His  Eminence,  for  we  stood  side 
by  side  in  the  middle  of  the  great  room,  silent 
before  the  torrent  of  his  wrath.  After  thun- 
dering hotly  at  Father  Urbani,  as  if  he,  dear 
man,  were  to  blame,  he  turned  on  me. 

"  What  were  you  ever  sent  here  to  the  Col- 
lege for  ?  And  since  when  has  it  been  turned 
from  a  House  of  God  into  a  training-school  for 
every  worthless  cockatrice  that  would  follow 
the  drum?  Tell  me,  sir,  what  did  you  conie 
here  for  ?"  he  stormed. 

86 


re- 

the 

lade 

saw 

lave 

hole 

ight. 

Pal- 
fthe 
5  was 
md  a 
jolate 
versa- 
ched ; 
is,  a 
side 

silent 

thun- 
dear 


e 


Col- 
urned 
K)l  for 
bllow 

come 


i 

CO 


8 

p 

e 


CD 


h3 
H 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  Indeed,  your  Eminence,  I  cannot  tell,"  I 
answered,  coolly. 

"  Cannot  tell !  No,  and  no  one  else,  I  dare 
say,  will  answer  for  it.  What  in  the  world  do 
the  bishops  mean  by  sending  such  good-for- 
naughts  here  without  finding  out  something 
about  them  ?" 

I  was  much  tempted  to  say  that  my  family 
was  well  known,  but  Father  Urbani's  hand 
was  on  my  arm,  and  I  knew  I  was  to  hold  my 
tongue,  which  I  did,  although  many  things 
were  said  that,  had  any  other  man  uttered,  I 
would  have  held  to  be  insulting. 

At  length,  to  our  great  relief,  he  made  an 
end,  and  bidding  Father  Urbani  get  rid  of 
me  as  soon  as  possible,  he  dismissed  us.  We 
bowed  ourselves  out,  and  I  was  free  to  enter 
the  service  for  which  I  longed. 


When  we  were  at  home  again.  Father 
Urbani  said,  "  My  dear  Giovannini,  now  this 
is  ended,  I  will  say  no  more  than  I  will 
see  myself  you  are  fittingly  supplied  with 
clothes  and  money,  and  if  you  desire  first  to 
return  to  Scotland,  I  will  see  you  are  sent 
thither." 

87 


I] 


SPANISH    JOHN 

But  I  told  him  I  would  rather  join  at  once, 
for  there  was  no  one  to  dispute  my  resolution 
at  home,  as  my  only  sister,  Margaret,  was  with 
Lady  Jane  Drummond  in  France,  and  my 
father  had  promised  my  choice  should  be  free 
when  the  time  came. 

"  Well,  then,"  he  continued,  "  I  say  nothing 
of  the  rights  of  the  quarrel  the  King  of  Naples 
has  on  his  hands  now,  but  if  you  will  enter 
the  Queen  of  Hungary's  service,  I  will  see  you 
are  strongly  recommended  to  persons  of  the 
greatest  interest,  and  a  recommendation  will 
mean  advancement." 

"  Oh,  Father,"  I  said,  "  I  could  not  do  that ! 
The  Kegiment  Irlandia  was  my  Uncle  Scottos' 
regiment,  and  I  could  not  join  any  other." 

"  You  Scots  are  a  famous  people  for  hang- 
ing together  1"  he  said,  smiling ;  "  and  I  sup- 
pose you  wouldn't  care  if  the  regiment  were 
fighting  for  the  Grand  Turk  himself  ?"  and  he 
smiled  again. 

"  No,  Father,"  I  said,  seeing  nothing  to 
laugh  at, "  it  could  make  no  diflFerence  to  me ; 
1  would  be  only  a  cadet." 

"  Well,  well,"  he  said,  quietly,  "  such  ques- 
tions are  perhaps  as  well  left  to  older  heads, 

?9 


SPANISH    JOHN 


Now  to  bed,  and  sleep  if  you  can,  for  your 
days  will  be  full  until  you  leave." 

True  to  his  word,  the  Kector  sent  to  me  a 
tailor,  by  whom  I  was  measured  for  two  full 
suits  of  regimentals ;  a  broker,  with  side-arms 
and  equipment;  and,  to  my  great  satisfaction, 
a  periwig-maker,  who  took  my  size  for  my  first 
wig,  until  my  hair  should  grow  long  enough 
to  be  dressed  in  a  queue. 

At  last  all  was  ready,  and  I  swaggered 
about  in  my  finery,  and  bade  farewell  to  my 
comrades,  all  of  whom  greatly  envied  me — 
even  Angus,  though  he  would  not  confess  to 
it.  However,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  walk- 
ing through  the  streets  with  me  to  pay  our  re- 
spects to  Mr.  O'Rourke,  who  had  just  completed 
his  course,  and  was  to  take  orders  immediately. 

He  at  once  pretended  great  astonishment, 
and  begged  Angus  to  introduce  him  to  '*  the 
General,"  and  then  broke  into  an  old  ranting 
Irish  air : 

"  Wid  your  gold  an'  lace 
An'  your  warlike  face 

In  a  terrible  fright  ye  threw  me— 
Giovanni,  me  dear, 
You  looked  so  queer  t 

Oh,  Johnny,  I  hardly  knew  ye  t" 


n> 


'I' 
n 


n 


m' 


M 


.  i  I 

1^ 


SPANISH    JolIX 

And  away  he  marched  up  and  down  the 
room  to  his  doddering  old  song,  and  then 
drew  up  before  rae,  making  passes  as  if  he 
were  saluting,  and  bowed  almost  to  his  knees, 
bringing  his  hands  up  to  his  forehead  and 
performed  a  low  salute,  which  he  informed 
Angus  was  only  given  to  the  Grand  Turk 
on  great  occasions. 

"  Well,  well,"  he  said,  at  last,  with  a  great 
sigh  of  relief,  "my  heart  is  easy  now  I  see  they 
wouldn't  trust  you  with  a  sword ;  though  I 
might  set  you  up  with  the  cook's  skewer,  if 
they  won't  do  anything  better  for  you !"  And 
liere,  at  last,  he  succeeded  in  angering  me, 
for  it  was  a  point  I  was  somewhat  uncertain 
about,  and  only  my  delicacy  had  prevented 
my  speaking  of  it  to  Father  Urbani. 

"  'Tis  luckv  for  you,  Mr.  O'Rourke,  that  1 
haven't  it,"  I  said,  "  or  I  would  truss  you  so 
that  the  heathen  you  are  going  to  feed  would 
have  nothing  more  to  do  than  baste  you !" 
For  I  supposed  he  would  be  off  as  a  mission- 
ary like  most  of  those  fi'om  the  Propaganda. 

"  1  don't  know  about  the  eating,  Giovannini, 
my  son,  but  you  are  quite  right  about  the  hea- 
then, for  I  am  going  to  follow  the  Drum  like 

90 


I  COULD  NOT  HELP  STRUTTING   AS  WE  PASSED  TAB 
FASHIONABLES  " 


SPANISH    JOHN 

yourself,  and  if  yon  ever  come  properly  ac- 
credited to  the  Chaplain  of  the  Company  of 
St.  James,  in  the  Regiment  Irlandia,  you  may 
have  a  surprise." 

"  Oh,  Mr.  O'Rourke !"  I  shouted,  embracing 
him  at  the  same  time,  "  surely  this  isn't  only 
another  bit  of  your  funning." 

"  Funning?  'Tis  genuine  brimstone  and  pi- 
ety combined,  that's  what  it  is,  and  within  a 
week  after  I  take  orders  I'll  be  off.  So  'tis 
only  *  good-bye '  till  'tis  '  good-day '  again." 


The  next  morning,  when  I  went  to  take 
leave  of  Father  Urbani,  I  saw  before  him  on 
the  table  a  silver-mounted  sWord,  at  the  sight 
of  which  my  heart  gave  a  great  leap,  for  I 
could  not  doubt  it  was  for  me.  He  did  not 
keep  me  in  suspense,  but  handed  it  to  me  at 
once.  "  See  what  you  think  of  that,  Giovan- 
nini  ?" 

I  drew  out  the  beautiful  blade,  found  it  bal- 
anced to  a  nicety,  and  could  not  forbear  mak- 
ing a  pass  or  two,  even  in  his  presence,  at 
which  he  smiled  and  said,  "  Carry  it  bravely, 
little  one,  carry  it  bravely,  and  sometimes  re- 
member the   old  man  who  gave  it  to  you 

91 


SPANISH    JOHN 

will  nightly  pray  that  you  may  be  kept  in 
safety  in  the  path  of  honour.  Come,  I  will 
see  you  somewhat  on  your  way,"  he  added, 
and  we  passed  out  into  the  street  together. 

Conscious  of  ray  brave  appearance,  I  could 
not  help  strutting  as  we  passed  the  fashion- 
ables then  abroad  in  the  Piazza  di  Spagna,  un- 
til I  was  recalled  to  a  more  fitting  frame  of 
mind  by  his  gentle  voice :  "  Here  I  must  leave 
you,  mio  caro  Giovannini.  Surely,  sometimes, 
in  a  quiet  hour,  you  will  turn  your  heart  to 
me,  lonely  here  within  these  walls,  for  I  love 
you  like  a  son,  Giovannini,  my  little  one.  May 
God  and  all  His  saints  have  you  in  their  holy 
keeping  this  day  and  forever,"  and  he  em- 
braced me  tenderly. 

And  so  ended  my  life  in  the  old  Scots  Col- 
lege in  Eome. 


m 

1743-1744 

Of  the  soldiering  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  did  Id  the  Regi- 
ment Irlandia  together ;  how  we  fared  at  tlie  Battle  of 
Vellelri,  and  uulil  the  army  divided  under  tlie  walls  of 
nome,  during  which  time  I  won  more  than  one  pro- 
motion. 


"  'There's  a  whirring  noise  across  the  night, 
The  "Wild-Geese"  are  awing, 
Wide  over  seas  they  take  their  flight, 

Nor  will  they  come  with  Spring. 
Blow  high,  blow  low,  come  fair,  come  foul, 
No  danger  will  they  shirk, 
Till  they  doff  Iheir  grey  for  the  blue  and  the  buff 
Of  the  Regiment  of  Burke  ! 

"  *  All  Spain  and  France  and  Italy 
Have  echoed  to  our  name ! 
The  burning  suns  of  Africa 

Have  set  our  arms  aflame  I 
But  to-night  we  toast  the  morn  tbat  broke 
And  wakened  us  to  fame  ! 
The  day  we  beat  the  Qermans  at  Cremona! 


SPAxMSH    JOHN 


!!i 


11 


" '  Would  you  read  our  name  on  Honour's  Roll? 
Look  not  for  royal  grant ; 
It  is  written  in  Cassano, 

Alcoy,  and  Alicant, 
Saragossa,  Barcelona— 
Wherever  dangers  lurk, 
You  will  find  in  the  van  the  blue  and  the  buff 
Of  the  Regiment  of  Burke! 

"'All  Spain  and  France  and  Italy 
Have  echoed  to  our  name  I 
The  burning  suns  of  Africa 
Have  set  our  arms  aflame ! 
But  to- night  we  toast  the  morn  that  broke 
And  wakened  us  to  fame! 
The  day  we  beat  the  Germans  at  Cremona! 


'"Here's  a  health  to  every  gentleman 
Who  follows  in  our  train  ! 
Here's  a  health  to  every  lass  who  waits 

Till  we  return  again ! 
Here's  confusion  to  the  German  horde, 
Until  tlieir  knavish  work 
Is  stopped  by  the  sight  of  the  blue  and  the  buflf 
Of  the  Regiment  of  Burke ! 

" '  All  Spain  and  France  and  Italy 
Have  echoed  to  our  name  1 
The  burning  suns  of  Africa 

Have  set  our  arms  aflame ! 
But  to-night  we  toast  the  morn  that  broke 
And  wakened  us  to  fame ! 
The  day  we  beat  the  Germans  at  Cremona !' " 
94 


la!     t 
(!    j 


broke 


bar 


CD 


H 


n 


S 


-n* 


SPANISH    JOHN 


In  the  little  inn  at  Narni,  in  company  with 
six  young  gentlemen  volunteers  who  had  been 
enjoying  a  furlough  in  Eome,  I  sate  and 
roared  out  the  chorus  as  I  picked  up  the 
words.  To  me  they  were  glorious,  and  the 
air  divine.  At  all  events,  the  song  was  an 
improvement  on  many  that  went  before  and 
followed  after. 

I  was  prepared,  in  a  measure,  to  meet  with 
much  looseness  among  military  gentlemen, 
whose  many  vicissitudes  and  harassing  calls  on 
their  temper  and  endurance  may  excuse  a  heat 
and  vivacity  of  language  that  would  not  be 
fitting  in  an  ordinary  man.  Indeed,  my  Uncle 
Scottos  swore  whenever  his  fancy  pleased  him, 
and  no  one  ever  thought  the  worse  of  him  for 
that.  But  here  were  boys,  none  of  them 
much  older  than  myself,  using  oaths  that 
fairly  made  my  blood  curdle,  with  all  the  as- 
surance of  a  Field-Marshal  at  the  least ;  and 
besides  this,  they  did  their  best  to  make  out 
they  were  practised  in  the  blackest  vices.  In- 
deed, so  ribald  did  they  grow,  that  I  felt  it 
did  not  become  me  to  sit  quiet  and  listen  to 
such  wickedness. 

"  Gentlemen,"   I  said,  "  my  Uncle  Scottos 


SPANISH    JOtiN 

served  in  this  regiment  when  it  was  part 
of  the  Irish  Brigade,  led  by  Colonel  "Walter 
Burke  himself,  and  it  was  then  held  that  no 
officer  under  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  had  the 
privilege  of  swearing  or  using  loose  language; 
and  I  make  bold  to  say  it  was  a  wise  regu- 
lation, and  one  which  I  would  like  to  see  in 
force  now. 

These  very  fitting  observations  were  greet- 
ed with  a  roar  of  laughter,  at  the  end  of 
which  Mr.  Fitzgerald,  an  ensign,  said,  with  a 
mighty  air  of  gravity :  "  Your  Reverence  is 
perfectly  right ;  the  same  rule  is  still  in  force, 
and  most  strictly  observed ;  but  the  truth  is, 
that,  like  his  Sacred  Majesty,  James  III.,  our 
rightful  positions  are  not  fully  recognized — de 
facto,  as  you  CoUegioners  say,  we  are  only  En- 
signs and  Cadets,  but  de  jure,  we  are  Captains 
and  Lieutenants  in  all  the  different  degrees — 
just  as  Your  Reverence  is  in  the  company  of 
coarse,  common  soldiers,  instead  of  hobnob- 
bing with  the  heads  of  the  Sacred  College 
and  other  holy  men."  And  his  ribaldry  was 
rewarded  with  a  burst  of  laughter. 

"  Mr.  Fitzgerald,"  I  retorted, "  you  can  spare 
your  gibes  on  me.    I  neither  understand  nor 

W 


SPANISH  John 

like  them.  But  if  any  of  you  think  you  can 
better  me  in  a  bout  at  single-stick,  I'll  shew 
you  I  can  take  a  drubbing  without  grum- 
bling from  any  of  3'ou  who  can  give  it  me." 

But  Mr.  Fitzgerald  excused  himself,  as  he 
had  no  skill  except  with  the  rapier ;  however, 
he  was  replaced  by  Mr.  O'Keilly,  who  would 
have  had  no  mean  play  had  he  been  schooled 
by  such  a  tutor  as  my  Uncle  Scottos.  Then 
they  challenged  me  to  the  small  sword,  think- 
ing it  my  weak  point,  but  I  held  my  own  as 
easily  as  at  the  other ;  and  after  this,  if  any 
one  attempted  to  draw  rae  on  with  "  Your 
Reverence,"  I  had  only  to  answer  "Single- 
stick" to  turn  the  conversation.  Let  a  lad 
but  take  advantage  of  his  early  opportunities, 
and  he  need  not  make  a  poor  shewing  in  any 
company. 


On  our  arrival  at  Faro,  I  was  presented  to  His 
Excellency  General  MacDonnell,  in  command 
of  the  Irish  troops  in  the  Neapolitan  service, 
which  then  consisted  of  the  Regiments  Hiber- 
nia  and  Irlandia,  the  latter  including  the  rem- 
nant of  "  Burkes,"  in  which  I  was  entered  as 
a  cadet  in  the  Company  of  St.  James,  under 
o  97 


ill 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Colonel  Donald  MacDonnell,  his  brother  Ran- 
ald being  Captain  en  second. 

The  first  injunction  laid  on  me  by  the  Gen- 
eral was  to  dine  every  xlay  at  his  table.  This, 
of  itself,  was  forwarding  me  at  once  into  pub- 
lic notice,  as  he  was  constantly  surrounded  by 
Spanish  noblemen  and  officers  of  note  in  the 
army,  to  'whom  he  always  introduced  me  as 
a  young  Scotch  Highlander  from  the  College 
in  Rome,  strongly  recommended,  come  to  ac- 
quire some  knowledge  of  military  affairs. 
Here  I  met  his  brother,  Major-Gen eral  Mac- 
Donnell,  who  was  allowed  to  be  the  best  foot 
officer  and  engineer  in  Spain,  Sir  Balthasar 
Nihel,  our  General  of  brigade,  and  many 
others. 

Colonel  MacDonnell  most  handsomely  ful- 
filled his  promise  of  fitting  me  for  a  soldier, 
for  I  was  allowed  to  go  out  on  active  service 
whenever  a  company  or  battalion  was  given 
its  orders,  my  duty  being  to  report  faithfully 
to  the  General  every  transaction  that  hap- 
pened to  the  command  I  was  in. 

I  made  many  and  pleasant  acquaintances, 
not  only  in  our  own  troops,  but  also  among 
the  Neapolitans  and  Spaniards,  who  formed 

98 


SPANISH    JOHN 


the  bulk  of  our  army,  and  was  rapidly  getting 
on  with  my  education,  a  much  easier  task 
than  any  put  to  me  at  College. 

Mr.  O'Rourke,  now  Father  O'Rourke,  prob- 
ably through  the  high  favor  he  held  in  the 
Santi  Apostoli,  had  joined  us  as  Chaplain — al- 
though, I  believe,  such  a  course  was  unusual 
from  the  Propaganda — and  was  soon  friends 
with  every  one  from  the  General  downwards. 
Though  he  had  lost  nothing  of  his  old  lively 
disposition,  he  was  a  different  man  from  what 
I  had  ever  seen  him  when  he  stood  up  in  his 
robes  before  us  at  the  Holy  Office  of  the 
Mass. 

No  one  who  has  not  seen  it  performed  in 
the  open  field,  for  men  who,  by  their  very  call- 
ing, should  have  a  more  lively  sense  of  the  un- 
certainties of  this  life,  can  have  any  idea  how 
grand  it  is  in  its  simple  surroundings.  The 
altar  is  raised  beneath  an  awning,  and  the  ser- 
vice goes  on  before  the  kneeling  men,  without 
any  of  those  distractions  which  meet  one  in  a 
church ;  the  Host  is  elevated  to  the  roll  of 
drums,  the  celebrant  is  half  a  soldier,  and  his 
acolytes  cadets.  Surely  no  more  grateful  ser- 
vice is  ever  offered  to  the  God  of  Battles. 

9» 


M 


1    I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

1  shall  not  attempt  to  go  into  the  detail  of 
my  experience  in  the  army ;  it  was  that  of  a 
lad  well  introduced  and  handsomely  befriend- 
ed, and  hundreds  have  gone  through  as  much, 
and  more  too;  but  perhaps  it  would  be  hardly 
honest  to  pass  over  ray  first  trial  under  fire. 

In  the  Spring  of  '44  our  array  marched 
along  the  Adriatic,  by  way  of  Ancona  and 
Loretto,  to  cover  the  Kingdom  of  Naples  on 
that  side.  The  Austrian  vanguard  came  to  an 
action  with  our  rear  before  we  reached  Loret- 
to, and  pressed  them  hard.  Father  O'Eourke 
and  I  were  marching  side  by  side  with  O'Reil- 
ly, Fitzgerald,  and  some  other  young  gentle- 
raen  near  the  Colonel. 

"This  strikes  rae  ranch  like  a  good  iraita- 
tion  of  running  away.  General  McDonell  of 
Scottos,"  said  he,  at  which  we  only  groaned, 
for  the  day  was  hot  and  we  could  not  under- 
stand why  the  eneray  should  be  allowed  to 
annoy  us  in  this  fashion ;  indeed,  we  were  too 
strongly  impressed  by  the  same  thought  to 
answer  his  challenge  as  it  deserved. 

But  the  answer  soon  came  in  an  ord:r  for  a 
reinforcement,  and  we  all  besieged  the  Colo- 
iiel — who  was  good -nature  itself  and  treated 

100 


SPANISH    JOH\ 


us  like  his  own  children — for  permission  to 
join.  "  Run  off,  then,  the  lot  of  you,  and  let 
the  Germans  see  what  your  faces  look  like," 
he  cried,  laughing;  and  off  we  went,  overjoyed 
at  our  good-fortune. 

The  required  troops  were  halted  and  formed, 
and  at  once  marched  to  the  rear ;  the  moment 
we  saw  the  confusion  and  terror  there  and 
heard  the  groans  of  the  wounded  as  they  were 
roughly  borne  on  with  the  hurrying  mass, 
things  took  on  a  different  look.  What  added 
to  it  was  that,  for  some  time,  we  had  to  stop 
and  allow  our  people  passage  in  a  narrow  way, 
and,  by  the  balls  that  went  whistling  over  our 
heads  and  the  cheering  of  the  enemy,  we  knew 
they  were  coming  on  with  a  rush. 

Suddenly  a  man  near  me  gave  a  sickening 
kind  of  grunt  and  tumbled  down  in  a  heap, 
like  a  pile  of  empty  clothes.  My  heart 
thumped  as  if  it  would  burst  through  my 
ribs  and  my  head  swam  so  I  could  hardly  see. 
O'Reilly,  who  was  beside  me,  and,  I  suppose, 
moved  by  the  same  feeling  as  myself,  put  out 
his  hand,  which  I  grasped  tightly,  and  there 
we  stood  with  our  pale  faces,  when,  to  our 
great  relief,  some  old  hand  just  behind  us  be- 

101 


>l  l" 


11 


m ' 


SPANISH    JOHN 

gan  to  sing  in  a  low  voice,  "  The  Day  we  Beat 
the  Germans  at  Cremona" ;  then,  at  the  same 
critical  moment,  came  the  sharp  command, 
"  Advance,  quick  I"  and  we  were  saved  from 
a  disgrace  that  would  have  been  worse  than 
death. 

Out  we  rushed  in  some  kind  of  order,  I  sup- 
pose, but  I  do  not  remember  anything  but  the 
great  blue  back  of  the  grenadier  in  front  of 
me,  and  how  he  worked  his  shoulders  as  he 
ran.  Then  came  the  word  "  Halt !"  and  al- 
most as  quickly  "Fire!"  My  piece  went  off 
with  the  others,  and  when  the  smoke  cleared 
I  had  my  senses  again  about  me  and  could  see 
the  enem}'^  about  one  hundred  paces  ahead  of 
us  checked  by  our  fire.  We  kept  at  it  until 
dark  came  on  and  the  enemy  retired,  where- 
on we  rejoined  our  own  army  and  encamped 
for  the  night. 

That  night  in  tlie  GeneraPs  tent  after  din- 
ner he  called  me  to  him  and  asked,  "Well, 
ray  lad,  have  you  smelt  powder  to-day  ?" 
"  Yes,  sir,"  I  said,  "  and  plentifully." 
"  What,  sir,"  said  he,  "  are  you  wounded  ?" 
"  No,  please  your  Excellency,"  I  answered, 

102 


>'  1 


THERE  WK  STOOD,  WITH  OUU  PALK  FACES  ' 


I 


. 


1 1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

feeling  somewhat  ashamed  I  had  not  attained 
his  full  approbation  in  bringing  back  a  whole 
skin. 

"Sir,"  he  said,  sternly,  "you  will  never 
smell  powder  until  you  are  wounded.  But  in 
order  to  give  you  a  better  chance,  and  as  a 
reward  for  not  running  a  Way,  you  will  be 
rated  as  Ensign  to  -  morrow  in  the  place  of 
poor  Jamieson,  killed  this  afternoon." 

So  I  won  my  first  promotion  for  not  being 
brave  enough  to  take  to  my  heels,  where  my 
heart  was  during  the  first  part  of  the  engage- 
ment at  least ;  I  never  had  the  courage  either 
to  ask  O'Reilly  what  his  feelings  had  been 
when  he  held  out  his  hand  to  me. 


"  "Well,  well,"  said  Father  O'Rourke,  when 
I  told  him  of  my  good  -  fortune,  "  Jeremiah 
was  far-sighted  when  he  prophesied  *  the  wild 
asses  shall  stand  in  the  high  places '  (et  onagri 
steterunt  in  rupibus).  'Tis  Drum-Major  they'll 
be  making  you  next,  and  never  a  step  for  me, 
though  I've  the  hardest  and  most  dangerous 
work  in  the  world  trying  to  keep  your  heath- 
en souls  out  of  the  clutch  of  a  bigger  enemy 
than  Prince  Lobkowitz  himself.     But  'tis  a 

108 


$1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

family  party  you  are,  anyway — here's  a  Major- 
General  MacDonnell,  and  a  Lieutenant-Gener- 
al  MacDonnell,  and  a  Colonel,  and  a  Captain 
and  a  Lieutenant,  and  that  poor  little  orphan, 
Angus,  you  left  behind  in  Rome,  and  now 
they  must  needs  make  an  Ensign  of  you. 
Faith,  you're  so  plentiful  hereabouts,  I  begin 
to  believe  the  story  that  you  had  a  boat  of 
your  own  in  the  time  of  Noah." 

"Indeed  we  had  not,  Father  O'Rourke,"  I 
returned,  indignantly, "that  was  the  McLeans." 

"  Oh,  well,  McLeans  or  McDonells,  'tis  all 
one.  And  Noah  shewed  his  wisdom  there, 
too,  for  had  he  let  any  more  Highlanders  into 
the  Ark,  they'd  have  been  sailing  it  themselves 
inside  of  a  month,  for  they've  a  rare  scent  for 
all  the  high  places,"  he  went  on,  with  a  roar 
of  his  Irish  laughing.  And  I  went  off  angry, 
but  thinking  how  strange  it  was  that  so  sensi- 
ble a  man  in  many  things  should  find  a  pleas- 
ure in  this  childish  way  of  jesting  on  any  sub- 
ject, and  should  so  often  choose  me  for  his 
funning,  who  didn't  relish  it  at  all. 

Colonel  MacDonnell  confirmed  my  rank  as 
£nsign  on  the  morrow,  and  for  days  we  were 

104 


SPANISH    JOHN 


hard  at  it  marching  across  Italy  to  cover  the 
northern  frontier  of  Naples,  next  the  Ecclesi- 
astical States  on  the  Mediterranean,  where  we 
got  news  that  the  Austrians  were  advancing 
in  force  under  Prince  Lobkowitz  and  the  fa- 
mous General  Browne.  They  had  an  army  of 
forty -five  thousand  men,  Austrians,  Hunga- 
rians, and  Croats,  while  we  were  joined  by 
thirty  thousand  Neapolitan  troops,  under  King 
Carlo,  so  our  forces  were  fairly  equal.  We 
took  possession  of  the  town  of  Velletri,  with- 
in the  Pope's  dominions,  the  King  making 
his  headquarters  in  the  Casa  Ginetti,  a  hamd- 
some  modern  palace  fronting  on  the  principal 
square,  while  our  army  occupied  the  level  coun- 
try and  the  heights  above.  The  Count  di  Gages 
was  at  the  head  of  the  Spanish,  and  the  Duke 
of  Castropignano  of  the  Neapolitan,  troops, 
each  taking  command  day  about. 

By  some  oversight  the  enemy  were  allowed 
to  gain  possession  of  the  heights  Monte  Ar- 
temisio  and  Monte  Spina,  which  occasioned 
great  inconvenience  to  us,  as  by  this  means 
they  commanded  the  high-road  to  Eome,  and 
cut  off  our  supply  of  water  by  the  conduit 
which  fed  the  great  fountain  in  the  principal 

105 


SPANISH  JOHN 

square,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  search  for 
water  every  evening  at  the  cisterns  and  foun- 
tains about  the  country,  or  at  the  river,  which 
ran  in  the  great  ravine  between  the  two  main 
armies,  which  lay  about  four  miles  asunder. 
To  add  to  this,  there  was  constant  and  severe 
enough  fighting  almost  daily,  but  without  any 
result  proportionate. 


About  an  hour  before  daybreak  one  morn- 
ing, being  on  sentry,  I  was  alarmed  by  the 
tramping  of  horses  and  the  stir  of  men  ad- 
vancing towards  my  post.  I  challenged,  and 
was  answered  by  Lieutenant  -  General  Mac- 
Donnell,  whose  voice  I  knew,  and  he  knowing 
mine,  called  out : 

"  Is  that  you,  McDonell  ?" 

"  Yes,  your  Excellency,"  I  answered. 

"  Get  yourself  relieved  then,  and  come  with 


)> 


me. 

While  the  relief  was  coming,  I  asked, "  Where 
is  your  Excellency  going?" 

"  To  beat  these  rascals  from   their  post," 

and  nothing  more  was  said  until  I  got  relieved 

and  joined. 

Off  we  went  in  the  darkness,  the  General 

106 


SPANISH    JOHN 


bidding  me  lay  hold  of  his  stirrup-leather ;  and 
as  we  went,  he  explained  our  object  was  to 
carry  a  battery  of  four  eighteen  -  pounders 
nearest  our  camp.  This  we  did  with  a  rush, 
receiving  only  one  discharge,  and  capturing 
near  three  hundred  men,  who  had  hardly 
time  to  strike  a  blow.  Then,  seeing  that 
the  battery  could  not  be  maintained  for 
a  moment,  being  completely  exposed  to  the 
heights,  he  acted  without  waiting  for  orders, 
formed  his  force  into  three  columns,  and  in- 
stantly led  them  against  Monte  Artemisio. 
Hot  work  we  had  of  it  for  two  hours,  but  at  it 
we  kept  until  we  had  cleared  the  heights  of 
the  enemy,  whose  foi  ce  on  Monte  Spina,  see- 
ing our  success,  retreated  to  their  camp,  of 
which  we  had  a  full  view,  and  which  seemed 
to  be  in  great  confusion. 

The  General  formed  us  up  without  hesita- 
tion. *'  Your  work  is  only  half  done,  my  lads ! 
Here's  for  another  touch  of  Cremona!"  and 
down  the  hill  we  swept  on  the  enemy,  shout- 
ing the  song  of  the  old  regiment;  but  they 
never  waited  for  us,  deserting  their  camp  and 
taking  post  in  a  wood  hard  by.  It  was  a  dis- 
appointment, but  another  was  quick  on   its 

107 


,  ', 


if 


SPANISH    JOHN 

heels,  for  now  who  should  ride  up  but  an  aide- 
de-camp  with  the  most  positive  orders  from 
the  General-in-command  to  retreat.  Then  I 
heard  a  general  officer  swear  for  the  first 
time! 

However,  there  was  nothing  to  be  done; 
the  camp  was  fired  in  as  many  places  as  possi- 
ble, and  we  reclimbed  Monte  Artemisio  and 
held  it  until  relieved  by  the  engineers  un- 
der Major-General  MacDonnell,  who  at  once 
set  about  fortifying  it  with  strong  batteries, 
whereon  we  returned  to  camp,  and  the  Gen- 
eral to  headquarters. 

There  was  some  talk,  we  afterwards  heard, 
of  his  exceeding  orders,  which  were  to  take  the 
first  battery  only,  and  in  a  mixed  army  like 
ours  it  will  be  readily  understood  there  was 
always  a  certain  jealousy  of  any  personal  suc- 
cess ;  one  would  have  thought  it  was  an  error 
to  have  beaten  the  enemy. 

"  How  far  would  you  have  gone,  General, 
Lad  you  iTot  been  recalled  ?"  asked  the  young 
Duke  of  Alba,  anxious  to  settle  the  matter. 

"  To  the  Devil,  your  Highness,  if  necessary," 
the  old  soldier  answered. 

108 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Thereat  the  King  laughed  heartily  and  said 
he  believed  him  capable  of  it,  and  put  an  end 
to  all  further  discussion  by  saying  the  Gen- 
eral had  acted  under  his  orders,  which  was  a 
very  handsome  way  out  of  the  difficulty,  and 
highly  approved  of  by  our  force  when  spread 
about. 


We  now  settled  down  to  continual  skirmish- 
ing and  manoeuvring  and  constant  harassing  of 
each  other,  w^ith  daily  loss  and  daily  distress 
on  each  side. 

It  was  like  living  in  a  great  city  in  this 
camp  nearly  four  miles  in  length,  resting  its 
left  on  the  town  and  its  right  on  Monte 
Artemisio.  Across  on  the  other  side  of  the 
valley  lay  onr  enemy,  and  if  we  suffered 
somewhat  foi'  hick  of  water,  we  knew  they 
suffered  still  nioi'e  from  scarcity  of  provisions, 
as  most  of  the  prisoners  we  took  were  always 
eager  for  a  meal ;  but  our  greatest  suffering 
was  from  the  incessant  heat,  for  there  we  lav 
all  the  Summer  months  amid  the  dirt  and 
other  discomforts  of  a  great  crowed  cut  off 
from  all  water  save  for  the  most  absolute 
needs.    The  peasants  gave  us  of  their  stores 

109 


^a1 


SPANISH    JOHN 


n 


readily  enough,  not  because  of  their  loyalty, 
but  that  any  resistance  to  our  foraging  par- 
ties would  have  been  useless,  and  have  served 
only  to  aggravate  their  distress ;  so  there  was 
little  opposition  beyond  outcries  and  black 
looks.  The  part  of  the  peasant  is  a  poor  one  in 
the  time  of  war ;  but,  after  all,  there  must  al- 
ways be  some  to  feed  the  soldiers,  and  if  there 
were  no  peasants,  doubtless  we  would  have 
lived  on  some  one  else.  I  never  would  have 
fallen  into  this  train  of  thought  had  it  not 
been  for  Father  O'Kourke,  who  gave  himself 
much  concern  for  them  and  their  affairs,  and 
went  so  far  as  to  preach  one  Sunday  that  all 
men  are  equal  in  the  sight  of  God  a  holding 
I  have  never  been  able  to  make  head  or  tail 
of,  as  it  is  clear  against  the  common  sense  of 
any  man  who  goes  through  the  world  with 
his  eyes  open. 

In  the  beginning  of  August  it  was  evident 
some  great  move  was  on  foot  by  the  enemy  ; 
there  was  constant  marching  and  counter- 
marching, and  we  learnt  from  our  spies  that 
the  sick,  of  whom  there  were  many,  had  been 
moved  to  a  great  distance  from  the  camp. 

110 


^ 


m 


n 


.1  it 


im 


SPAxNlSH    JOHN 

Our  brigade  in  its  encampment  lay  a  little 
in  rear  of  our  left  wing  and  faced  the  town. 
It  was  then  the  10th  of  August,  and  I  was  to 
go  on  guard  before  daybreak  on  the  outposts. 
The  night  was  a  sweltering  one,  rendering 
sleep  wellnigh  impossible ;  so,  in  company  with 
a  young  fellow,  come  piping  hot  from  Ireland 
to  enter  himself  as  a  cadet  in  our  regiment,  I 
threw  myself  down  fully  dressed  under  an 
awning  prepared  for  Divine  Service  on  the 
morrow.  For  some  cause  unknown  to  me  I 
was  not  called  for  guard  at  the  proper  time, 
but  was  awakened  before  daybreak  by  a 
couple  of  shots;  then  came  half  a  dozen, 
next  a  couple  of  volleys,  when,  on  starting 
up,  I  told  my  guest  we  certainly  were  at- 
tacked. 

"  Whatever  shall  I  do  ?"  he  exclaimed ;  "  I 
have  no  arms !" 

"  Never  mind,  fall  into  the  ranks ;  if  you 
are  killed  at  the  first  discharge,  you  won't 
need  any ;  if  not,  you  will  find  as  many  as 
you  want." 

"  But  I  have  not  yet  been  reviewed,"  he  ob- 
jected. 

"  No,  and  ten  chances  to  one  you  never  will 

lU 


SPANISH    JOHN 

be,"  I  called  back,  as  I  rushed  to  order  the 
g^n^rale  sounded,  which  was  soon  repeated  by 
all  the  drums  in  the  army. 

And  then  began  such  a  confusion  as  I  hope 
never  to  see  again.  Our  men  and  officers 
turned  out  as  they  were,  trying  to  slip  into 
their  clo  he3  and  find  their  arms.  It  was  im- 
possiole  to  make  out  anything  clearly,  but  we 
did  our  utmost  to  carry  out  the  orders  we 
heard  screamed  in  the  darkness. 

Fror.  vmds  which  came  to  us,  it  was 

evident  thd  i^  ■  .y  were  attempting  to  force 
our  front,  and  so  o  V'  tlirough  our  line.  We  had 
not  naif  ro:iiio'  h*^  '^'^  ^vere  nearly  crush- 
ed by  the  rush  of  rideriess  horses  of  the  two 
dragoon  regiments  in  our  rear,  many  of  which 
broke  away  before  the  men  could  saddle  them ; 
and  these  were  immediately  followed  by  a 
regiment  of  Petits  Walloons  and  a  great  body 
of  cowardly  Neapolitans  who  gave  way  be- 
fore the  enemy.  In  spite  of  it  all  we  formed 
again,  wheeled  about,  and  faced  the  enemy,  to 
find  our  army  was  cut  in  two,  our  left  was  on 
an  impassable  ravine,  and  General  Browne  with 
his  successful  troops  in  our  front.  There  was 
nothing  to  do  but  retire  towards  the  town, 

112 


SPANISH    JOHN 


which  we  did,  leaving  a  number  of  our  officers 
and  men  on  the  field. 

For  my  own  share  I  was  one  of  the  last  to 
give  way,  but  when  I  turned  ray  back  I  im- 
agined the  enemy  all  fired  at  me  alone,  and 
ran  with  all  my  might,  feeling  as  though  a 
weight  were  tied  to  each  of  my  legs,  till  I  out- 
distanced every  one,  when  on  looking  back  I 
saw  the  whole  coming  up.  I  halted,  and  every 
one  as  he  came  up  did  the  same,  and  we  soon 
formed  a  regular  line.  We  were  now  joined 
by  our  senior  officers,  who  restored  order  and 
resolved  us  to  revenge  our  dead  comrades  and 
fight  to  the  last.  Our  situation  we  found  to 
be  as  bad  as  before.  We  wheeled  to  the  right 
and  endeavored  to  enter  the  town  by  the  near- 
est gate,  in  order  to  defend  ourselves  by  the 
help  of  an  old  Roman  wall  which  surrounded 
the  town ;  but  the  guard  at  the  gate  and  those 
on  the  wail  fired  at  us,  mistaking  us  for  the 
enemy  in  the  uncertain  light,  and  just  then  a 
column  of  Browne's  men  coming  up  gave  us 
another  fire. 

To  extricate  ourselves  from  this  very  criti- 
cal situation,  we  made  another  wheel  to  the 
left  to  recover  our  former  ground,  which  witli 
H  U8 


SPAxMSlI    JOHN 


great  loss  we  accomplished,  only  to  find  our- 
selves in  a  worse  chance  than  before,  for  now 
a  body  of  the  enemy  was  between  us  and  the 
ravine,  by  which  means  we  were  attacked  on 
both  flanks  and  in  front. 

The  slaughter  was  terrible,  and,  being  re- 
duced to  extremity,  we  offered  to  capitulate 
on  honourable  terms ;  at  this  there  was  a  lull 
in  the  action  and  time  to  look  about.  We 
were  so  encumbered  by  our  dead  and  wound- 
ed that  a  regular  formation  was  almost  im- 
possible, but  this  we  set  about  righting  with 
all  possible  haste.  Our  Colonel  sat  straight 
and  erect  in  the  midst  of  us,  in  earnest  talk 
with  the  French  Major-General,  who  was  in 
command.  Lieutenant  Butler  was  near  me, 
and  O'Reilly  I  saw  attending  to  the  removal  of 
some  of  the  wounded.  The  men,  half-dressed, 
and  many  of  them  covered  with  blood,  were 
resting  as  if  the  affair  were  entirely  over,  and 
already  were  talking  and  joking  with  each 
other  in  their  usual  way  as  if  our  lives  did  not 
hang  on  the  answer  to  our  terms.  At  length 
word  was  brought  that  our  offer  was  re- 
fused, and  we  must  surrender  at  discretion. 
Our  chiefs  whispered  a  moment,  then  Colonel 

114 


SPANISH    JOHN 


MacDonnell  rose  to  his  full  height  in  his  stir- 
rups and  called  in  a  voice  deep  with  feeling, 
"Officers  and  gentlemen  of  the  Company  of 
St.  James !  They  refuse  us  the  only  terms 
which  honourable  men  can  accept  without  dis- 
grace. Officers,  Gentlemen,  All  I  I  call  on 
you  to  light  while  a  charge  of  powder  and 
ball  is  left  to  living  or  to  dead  I"  And  the 
cheer  we  gave  him  carried  our  answer  back 
to  our  ungenerous  foe. 

There  was  no  shirking,  as  every  man  stepped 
firmly  to  his  place;  but  matters  grew  worse 
from  the  beginning.  Our  French  General  was 
shot  down,  then  Colonel  MacDonnell,  crying, 
"  I'll  open  a  way  for  you,  my  lads !  Come 
on !"  spurred  his  horse  straight  at  the  enemy, 
only  to  go  down  torn  with  bullets,  while  on 
every  side  our  officers  and  men  were  falling 
fast. 

So  far  I  had  not  a  scratch,  but  now  a  ball 
went  through  my  thigh  which  prevented  my 
standing.  I  crossed  my  firelock  under  my 
leg  and  shook  it  to  see  if  the  bone  were  whole, 
which,  finding  to  be  the  case,  I  raised  myself 
on  one  knee  and  continued  firing.  I  received 
another  shot,  which  threw  me  down,  but  I 

110 


r 


SPANISH    JOHX 

still  made  an  attempt  to  support  my  surviving 
comrades  until  a  third  wound  quite  disabled 
me.  Loss  of  blood,  and  no  way  to  stop  it,  soon 
reduced  my  strength.  I,  however,  gripped  my 
sword,  ready  to  run  through  the  first  who 
should  insult  me. 

All  our  ammunition  now  being  S4ient,  and 
not  a  single  cartridge  to  be  found  even  among 
the  dead,  quarter  was  called  by  the  few  who 
remained  alive.  Many  of  the  wounded  were 
knocked  on  the  head,  and  I  did  not  escape; 
for,  observing  one  approaching,  I  made  ready 
to  run  him  through,  but  seeing  that  five  more 
were  close  to  him,  I  dropped  my  sword,  onl}'^ 
to  be  saluted  with  "  Hundsfott !"  and  a  rattle 
of  blows  on  my  head,  whereupon  I  fainted. 

On  coming  to  myself,  I  found  1  was  lying 
with  my  clothes  stripped  off,  weltering  in  my 
blood,  twisting  and  turning  with  pain  in  the 
dust  under  a  blistering  sun,  and  no  one  alive 
near  me  to  speak  to. 

The  first  who  came  up  to  me  was  a  Croat, 
who,  spying  my  gold -laced  hat  near  by, 
clapped  it  on  his  head,  and  then  had  the  im- 
pudence to  ask  me  how  I  liked  it.  Not 
pleased  with  my  answer,  which  was  short,  he 

116 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

turned  me  over  on  my  face  and,  cutting  off 
my  queue  with  his  sabre,  marched  away,  say- 
ing he  would  remember  me  by  it. 

Shortly  after  this  I  was  visited  by  another 
with  cocked  pistol  in  hand,  who  demanded 
my  purse  in  very  bad  Italian. 

"  Where  do  you  think  I  have  hidden  it  ?"  I 
asked,  angrily,  for  I  hadn't  on  me  what  would 
have  covered  a  sixpence.  "  If  you  can  find  it 
about  me  you  can  take  it." 

"  Is  that  an  answer  for  me,  you ,"  and 

here  he  called  me  a  name,  bad  enough  for  a 
living  man,  but  to  the  last  degree  insulting  to 
one  in  my  condition,  and  with  this  he  pointed 
his  pistol  straight  between  my  eyes. 

I  thought  no  one  near,  but  the  word  "  Quar- 
ter" was  scarce  spoken  by  me  when  I  saw 
his  pistol  arm  seized  by  a  genteel  young  man, 
dressed  only  in  his  waistcoat,  who  cried,  "  You 
rascal,  let  the  man  die  as  he  pleases ;  you  see 
he  has  enough.  Go  and  kill  some  one  able  to 
resist,"  and  the  fellow  made  off. 

"  Pray  sir,"  said  I  to  the  young  man,  "  what 
do  you  intend  to  make  of  this  town  if  you 
take  it  ?" 

"  Keep  it  if  we  can  ;  if  not,  burn  it," 

117 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  Then,  sir,  if  you  will  have  me  borne  to 
your  camp,  and  my  wounds  dressed,  I  will  re- 
ward you  with  fifty  crowns." 

Off  he  went,  and  in  a  few  minutes  came 
back  with  four  stout  German  soldiers,  to 
whom  he  said  something  in  their  language. 
They  seized  me  by  the  arms  and  legs,  but  no 
sooner  had  they  raised  me  from  the  ground 
than  I  fainted  with  the  pain,  and  on  recover- 
ing I  found  myself  where  I  formerly  was. 
The  young  man  was  still  near,  who  told  me 
shortly  that  I  could  not  be  removed. 

"  But,  sir,"  said  I,  "  if  you  set  the  town  on 
fire  I  shall  infallibly  be  burned  here,"  for  in 
our  struggle  we  had  been  driven  back  on  the 
walls. 

"  If  I  am  alive,"  he  returned,  "  I  will  pre- 
vent that;  but  I  must  attend  to  my  duty,  as 
the  firing  in  the  streets  continues  very  hot," 
and  with  that  he  left  me,  and  I  saw  no  more 
of  him. 

I  now  observed  a  regiment  of  horse  drawn 
up  about  half  a  gun-shot  from  where  I  lay. 
They  faced  the  town,  and  if  they  advanced 
a  few  paces  more  I  was  afraid  they  would 
crush  me  under  foot.     But  they  facec^  to  the 

U8 


t 


SPANISH    JOHN 


\ 


rear,  retired  a  little,  and  then  faced  the  town 
again.  This  manoeuvring  surprised  me;  I 
listened  attentively  and  heard  the  cannon  and 
platoons  approach,  and,  raising  my  head  on 
my  hand,  looked  towards  the  gate  nearest  me, 
which  was  quite  full  of  our  men  running  out 
trailing  their  arms,  to  form  a  line  between 
me  and  the  horse ;  they  were  followed  by  an- 
other sortie  of  our  people,  who  formed  yet 
another  line,  but  in  this  case  between  me  and 
the  town  wall. 

1  looked  upon  myself  then  as  certain  of 
death,  but  used  every  precaution  ir  my  power 
to  preserve  what  little  life  was  left  to  me  as 
long  as  possible.  I  seized  two  of  my  dead  com- 
rades, for  they  were  thick  around  me,  and  with 
great  difficulty  dragged  myself  between  them, 
so  as  to  have  some  shelter  from  straggling 
balls. 

I  did  not  remain  long  in  this  danger,  how- 
ever, as  the  enemy,  at  the  second  fire  from  our 
people,  left  their  ground  and  galloped  out  of 
sight. 

I  now  began  to  suffer  the  torments  of  thirst 
in  addition  to  my  other  pains,  and  called  to 
every  one  who  passed  near  me  for  a  drink; 

U9 


■ 


SPANISH    JOHN 

but  from  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  the  length 
of  the  action,  their  canteens  and  calabashes 
were  all  empty.  At  last  I  saw  a  grenadier  of 
the  Swiss  guards,  whose  uniform  was  very 
much  like  ours,  with  a  large  calabash,  and 
asked  him  if  he  had  anything  in  it.  "Yes, 
brother,"  he  said,  mistaking  me,  I  suppose,  for 
a  Swiss. 

I  took  a  hearty  draught  of  excellent  wine 
and  offered  it  back  to  him. 

"  No,  no,  brother,"  he  said,  "  I  am  unhurt 
and  you  cannot  help  yourself,"  and  thereupon 
he  left  me. 

I  was  greatly  refreshed,  and  on  looking 
about  me  saw  poor  Lieutenant  Butler,  whom  I 
had  not  before  observed,  lying  near  me  on  all 
fours.  He  was  sadly  wounded,  and  begged  me 
in  the  name  of  God  to  let  him  have  a  drink. 
I  drew  myself  a  little  nearer  him,  for  he  could 
not  move,  and  handed  him  the  calabash.  He 
seized  it  eagerly  and  would  have  certainly  fin- 
ished it,  had  not  I,  observing  from  the  horrid 
nature  of  his  wound  it  was  only  a  question  of 
minutes  till  the  end,  pulled  it  from  him,  say- 
ing, "  It  is  easy  to  see,  my  poor  fellow,  that 
your  bread  is  baked.    I  cannot  let  you  waste 

180 


SPANISH    JOHN 


\ 


this  when  I  may  perish  for  the  want  of  it." 
It  is  not  that  war  make:^  men  unfeeling,  as 
many  have  urged,  but  in  it  they  attain  a  judg- 
ment in  the  value  of  life  not  so  readily  ac- 
quired elsewhere. 

It  was  now  getting  towards  evening,  and  I 
must  have  fainted  or  slept  somewhat,  for  the 
next  I  remember  wds  feeling  what  I  took  to 
be  rain  falling,  and,  on  opening  my  eyes,  there 
was  the  big  face  of  Father  O'Rourke  over 
me.  He  was  crying  like  a  child,  and  the  first 
words  I  made  out  were:  "Oh,  Giovannini, 
darling !  My  poor  boy  I  You're  not  dead — 
you're  not  dead,  after  all !" 

"  Who's  beaten,  Father  ?"  I  asked,  as  soon  as 
I  could  speak. 

"  Faith,  we're  all  beaten !  First  we  were 
smashed  into  tatters,  the  King  all  but  taken, 
and  would  have  been  had  it  not  been  for  Sir 
Balthasar  Nihel.  We  were  beaten  at  every 
point  of  the  compass,  only  we  didn't  know  it ! 
But  now  we've  the  town  again,  and  sent  Gen- 
eral Browne  off  with  a  flea  in  his  ear,  and  all 
the  Croats  and  Hungarians,  Pandours  and 
Talpathians,  hot  foot  after  him.  But  oh,  the 
poor  souls  that  have  gone  to  glory  this  night ! 


! 


T 


^ 


SPANISH    JOHN 


i 


Faith,  promotion  will  be  the  order  of  the  day 
now."  And  all  this  and  much  more  he  gave 
out,  half  crying,  half  laughing. 

And  there  the  good  man  sate,  talking  his 
nonsense  to  keep  me  up,  holding  me  in  his 
arms  covered  with  his  cassock,  which  he  had 
stripped  off  when  first  he  found  me,  in  no  lit- 
tle danger  from  the  rascally  camp-followers 
and  the  miserable  peasants,  Avho  were  prowl- 
ing about  ready  to  put  a  knife  into  any  one 
who  offered  the  least  resistance.  Indeed,  the 
peasants  killed,  resistance  or  not ;  for  each  sol- 
dier dead,  no  matter  what  side,  they  looked 
on  as  one  enemy  tlie  less. 

I  was  too  weak  to  think  of  such  things,  but 
he  told  me  afterwards  his  heart  gave  a  Te 
Deum  of  rejoicing  when  he  saw  Lieutenant 
Miles  MacDonnell,  of  the  Regiment  llibernia, 
looking  over  the  bodies  for  any  chance  of  sav- 
ing friends.  lie  at  once  hailed  him,  and  I 
was  soon  lying  on  the  leaf  of  a  door  on  my 
way  to  the  hospital. 

Some  idea  may  be  gathered  of  the  impor- 
tance of  this  engagement  when  I  say  that 
there  were  near  two  hundred  officers  alone 

123 


pwjrwrr:^'!- ■ 


THERE  THE  UUOU  MAN   HATE,  HOLDING   ME   IN  HIS  ARM»  ' 


11 
c 

f 

C 
C 

P 
I 

a 

li 

t 

B 

k 
I 

E 

S 
t 
f 
t 

I 
] 

s 


SPANISH    JOHN 


, 


in  the  hospital,  which  was  one  of  the  largest 
convents  in  the  town.  As  Father  O'Rourke 
foretold,  promotion  was  rapid  and  easy,  and 
Captain  Ranald  MacDonnell  was  named  as 
Colonel,  commanding  the  regiment  in  the 
place  of  his  brother,  killed,  as  already  related. 
He  went  through  the  hospital  twice  a  day 
and  never  failed  to  visit  me,  inquiring  particu- 
larly of  ray  condition  by  order  of  his  father, 
the  General,  and  also  brought  me  news  of 
mj^  own  promotion  as  Lieutenant,  with  many 
kindly  wishes  for  my  speedy  recovery  —  and 
I  know  no  more  grateful  cataplasm  for  a 
mending  wound  than  promotion. 

It  was  wonderful  how  we  all  improved  in 
spite  of  the  heat,  our  crowded  condition,  and 
the  scanty  fare.  My  greatest  suffering  was 
from  dreaming;  for  weeks  I  could  not  get 
the  awful  experiences  of  that  day  out  of  my 
poor  head,  and  no  sooner  was  I  asleep  than 
I  was  at  some  part  of  it  again,  only  to  be 
awakened  with  a  scream  and  a  start  which 
often  opened  my  wounds  afresh  and  left  me 
almost  fainting  with  pain.  My  experience 
was  only  that  of  others,  many  of  whom 
afterwards  said  they  too  dreaded  the  com- 

m 


SPANISH    JOHN 


! 


ing  of  sleep,  which  only  increased  their  tor- 
ments. 

Many  a  story  we  had  of  the  day,  and  gradu- 
ally we  gathered  something  like  a  fair  idea  of 
the  whole.  General  Novati  had  carried  out 
his  attack  on  the  town  successfully,  but  had 
been  prevented  from  seizing  the  person  of  the 
King  through  the  obstinate  defence  of  the 
Irish  troops ;  indeed,  we  came  in  for  no  small 
share  of  compliments.  Ev^n  General  Browne, 
who  cut  our  own  detachment  to  pieces,  said  he 
was  sorry  for  our  loss,  though  he  admired  our 
gallant  behaviour.  This  was  the  word  brought 
by  Mr.  O'Reilly,  who  saved  his  life  by  a  strat- 
agem; for  being  down  like  the  rest  of  us  in 
our  last  stand,  and  fearing  lest  he  should  be 
trampled  under  foot  by  a  squadron  of  horse 
just  preparing  to  charge,  he  called  out  to  the 
Germans,  "  Would  you  leave  the  Duke  of  Alba 
to  perish  ?"  and  so  was  picked  up  and  carried 
out  of  danger.  When  brought  before  General 
Browne  and  his  staff,  he  confessed  he  was 
only  Mr.  O'Reilly,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Irish 
Brigade,  and  had  borrowed  the  Duke's  name 
when  he  thought  it  would  do  him  most  good, 
lie  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy  in  tlieir  re- 


SI'ANlsil    JOHK 

treat  and  carried  in,  and  afterwards  made  his 
apologies  to  His  Highness  for  the  liberty  he 
had  taken,  who  graciously  assured  him  he  was 
glad  it  served  so  good  an  end. 

The  day  had  ended  by  a  loss  to  the  enemy  of 
near  three  thousand  men,  and  General  Novati 
a  prisoner,  besides  many  other  officers  of  high 
rank;  our  own  loss  was  near  as  heavy,  but, 
then,  we  were  victorious,  and  the  enemy  foiled 
in  every  point  he  attempted. 


Father  O'Rourke  was  untiring  in  his  care 
of  us  all.  Indeed,  for  weeks  he  hardly  seemed 
to  have  any  rest,  but  whether  he  was  up  all 
night  with  some  poor  fellow  whose  time  was 
short,  or  comforting  another  in  pain,  or  letter- 
writing,  or  listening  to  complaints,  he  had  al- 
ways the  same  lively  humour  that  brought 
raan^^  a  laugh  from  the  long  rows  of  beds 
within  hearing. 

In  about  six  weeks  I  was  on  crutches,  but 
sadly  incommoded  by  want  of  clothes,  for  I 
had  not  even  a  shirt  I  could  call  my  own. 
"Faith,  don't  be  so  mighty  put  out  on  ac- 
count of  a  few  rags  and  tatters,"  was  Father 
O'Rourke's  comfort;  "'tis  a  blessed  state  of 

m 


SPANISH  joiiy 


innocence  I  found  you  in !  Not  even  Adam  in 
the  Garden  of  Eden  could  have  had  less  on 
him,  or  been  less  put  out  by  it.  You  may 
thank  Providence  you  are  here  in  this  blessed 
surshine,  instead  of  skiting  about  barelegged 
in  your  native  land,  where  I'm  told  on  good 
authority  the  men  wear  petticoats  even  in 
winter."  But  I  was  superior  to  his  gibes  a 
day  or  so  later,  for  the  General,  hearing  of 
my  straits,  most  obligingly  sent  me  a  suit  of 
clothes  and  half  a  dozen  of  shirts.  And  to  add 
to  his  many  kindnesses,  in  a  letter  he  wrote 
to  King  James  giving  an  account  of  the  late 
battle,  he  mentioned  my  condition  to  His 
Majesty,  setting  forth  my  services  in  terms  of 
such  commendation  that  the  King  was  pleased 
to  order  a  pretty  good  sum  of  money  for  m}' 
immediate  occasions. 

Weary  as  I  was  of  the  hospital,  I  dreaded 
leaving  it,  as  ordinary  courtesy,  let  alone  my 
heavy  obligations,  necessitated  an  immediate 
visit  to  the  General,  which  I  much  dreaded,  as 
I  had  not  seen  him  since  the  day  before  the 
battle,  when  his  son  rode  at  our  head,  as  gal- 
lant an  officer  as  there  was  in  the  service. 
But  when  I  stood  before  that  fine  old  soldier 

126 


SPANISH    JOIIX 

there  was  only  welcome  in  his  look,  and  he 
said,  jocosely : 

''  Are  you  still  alive  ?" 

"I  hope  your  Excellency  has  sent  no  one 
to  kill  me,"  I  answered,  falling  in  with  his 
humour. 

"  No,  by  gad !  I  thought  you  had  enough. 
But  I  know  what  has  brought  you  here  to- 
day; you  have  come  for  a  good  meal  after 
being  starved  in  the  hospital.  But  be  care- 
ful, I  have  seen  many  who  have  been  carried 
oflf  by  overeating  in  like  case." 

Dinner  was  served,  and  I  sate  down  nearly 
opposite  the  General,  who  eyed  me  anxiously 
from  time  to  time ;  at  last  he  got  up,  took  my 
knife  and  fork  from  me,  and,  ordering  away 
what  was  before  me,  said,  "  You  young  devil, 
you'll  kill  yourself !"  and  his  roughness  meant 
more  to  me  than  soft  words  from  any  other 
man. 


From  this  out  I  recovered  rapidly,  and  soon 
was  myself  again  and  back  in  my  Company 
with  full  rank  as  Lieutenant.  There  was  no 
fighting  now  of  any  importance,  and  we  won- 
dered what  the  next  move  would  be.    But  our 

127 


SPANISH     JOH^^ 


t 
I  I 


spies  and  the  deserters  brought  us  in  no  news 
of  value,  and  on  the  last  day  of  September  we 
lay  down  while  our  out-posts  watched  those  of 
the  enemy,  their  fires  burning  as  usual  across 
the  valley ;  but  in  the  morning  we  thought  it 
strange  we  heard  no  drums  and  saw  no  move- 
ment, and  then  it  dawned  upon  us  that  their 
whole  army  had  withdrawn  during  the  night, 
and  now  were  in  full  retreat  by  way  of  Rome. 
All  the  available  force  started  in  pursuit, 
with  the  hope  of  bringing  them  to  an  action  at 
Torre  Metia,  about  half-way  between  Albano 
and  Rome,  but  they  outmarched  us.  Both 
armies  had  engaged  with  His  Holiness  not  to 
enter  Rome,  so  the  enemy  passed  under  its 
walls,  where,  our  advanced  guard  coming  up 
with  their  rear,  there  was  warm  skirmishing 
until  they  crossed  the  Tiber  at  the  Ponte  Mole 
and  encamped  on  the  far  side  until  the  next 
morning,  when  they  continued  their  retreat. 
Our  army  now  divided,  one  division  going 
forward  under  the  Count  di  Gages  to  harass 
the  enemy,  while  the  remainder  followed  King 
Carlo  back  to  Naples. 


IV 

1744-1740 

How  we  met  old  friends  and  an  older  enemy  in  Rome 
with  whom  1  was  forced  to  subscribe  to  a  Truce,  hav- 
ing passed  my  word  to  the  Duke  of  York ;  how  it 
came  that  I  resigned  from  the  Company  of  St.  James. 

Through  General  MacDonneirs  kindness  I 
was  allowed  to  spend  a  few  days  in  Rome  as 
being  on  his  staff,  and  at  my  first  freedom 
took  my  way  to  the  street  of  the  Quattro 
Fontane  and  my  old  College. 

What  a  welcome  I  received  !  Good  Father 
Urban!  held  me  in  his  arms  as  if  I  had  been 
his  own  son,  and  would  not  hear  of  my  sleep- 
ing outside  the  College,  although  'twas  a 
downright  breach  of  their  rules ;  and  the  old 
porter,  of  whom  I  once  stood  in  such  awe, 
waited  up  for  me,  no  matter  what  the  hour  for 
returning  might  be,  and  nodded  and  winked 
knowingly,  as  if  he  too  had  once  been  young. 
Not  that  I  would  insinuate  there  was  anything 

I  139 


i 


SPANISH    JOHN 


of  levity  in  my  conduct,  for  I  have  always 
had  a  too  just  regard  for  my  position  as  a 
gentleman  and  an  officer  to  indulge  in  any- 
thing unbecoming,  more  especially  where  I 
was  so  carefully  observed. 

Angus  I  found  the  same  as  ever,  quiet  and 
contented  with  his  lot,  as  seemed  most  of  the 
others,  though  I  could  see  my  appearance 
caused  something  of  a  ruffle  among  them.  I 
seemed  to  have  grown  so  many  years  older, 
and  was  surprised  to  find  how  small  and  al- 
most mean  many  of  the  old  surroundings 
looked;  even  the  Fathers  did  not  appear  as 
formidable  as  before.  All,  that  is,  save  dear 
old  Father  Urban i,  of  whom  I  never  stood  in 
awe,  and  who  had  only  grown  older  and  more 
frail ;  to  him  I  told  all  that  was  in  my  heart, 
not  even  hiding  my  first  fright  from  him, 
which  I  would  not  have  then  confessed  to  any 
other  living  man. 


On  the  second  day  of  our  stay,  the  General 
and  I  took  our  way  by  the  Corso  and  through 
to  the  Piazza  Santi  Apostoli  to  pay  our  re- 
spects to  His  Majesty  King  James.    As  w< 
ascended  the  staircase  I  thought  of  the  two 

130 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I 


poor  awe-struck  coUegioners  who  in  soutane 
and  soprano  had  climbed  the  same  stairs  two 
years  before,  and  the  amazement  that  had 
filled  their  hearts  when  they  saw  and  talked 
with  Royalty  for  the  first  time.  Now  I  was 
a  man,  though  but  sixteen,  for  I  had  carried  a 
sword  honourably  in  company  with  some  of 
the  bravest  men  in  Italy,  and  had  been  per- 
sonally presented  to  King  Carlo  as  worthy  of 
his  gracious  notice. 

The  General  was  in  full  dress,  with  his  Span- 
ish and  Neapolitan  orders,  and  I  wore  the  full 
uniform  of  a  Lieutentant  of  our  brigade,  which 
was  genteel  enough  even  for  a  presentation. 

In  the  anteroom  the  General  was  welcomed 
on  all  hands,  and  I  met  many  I  knew,  includ- 
ing Mr.  Secretary  Murray,  Mr.  Sheridan,  and 
the  Abbe  Ramsay,  and  was  much  made  of, 
though  without  flattery,  save  by  those  at 
whose  hands  I  could  fittingly  receive  it. 
What  was  my*  disgust,  though,  to  see  the 
white  face  of  Creach  again  in  the  crowd ;  he, 
however,  did  not  come  near  me,  and,  out  of 
oonsideration  for  the  General,  I  refrained 
from  speaking  of  him,  as  it  might  lead  to 
mention  of  my  former  meeting  when  with 

181 


SPANMSH    JOHN 


his  son,  the  Colonel.  T  may  say  here  that  I 
never  knew  the  result  of  the  meeting  between 
Creach  and  the  Colonel,  as  the  latter  never 
saw  fit  to  refer  to  it  and  I  could  not  well 
question  him. 

The  sight  of  the  man  was  so  distasteful  that 
it  fairly  took  away  all  the  pleasure  of  my  pres- 
entation, and  even  the  gracious  presence  and 
words  of  His  Majesty,  and  of  the  Duke  of 
York,  who  accompanied  him,  did  not  alto- 
gether dissipate  uiy  uneasiness.  In  words  as 
fitting  as  I  could  choose,  I  thanked  His  Maj- 
esty for  his  generous  and  unexpected  succour, 
whereupon  a  smile  passed  over  his  grave,  dark 
face,  and  he  said,  **  But  hold  I  are  you  not  my 
little  Highlander  of  the  Santi  Apostoli  ?" 

"  I  am,  please  your  Majesty,"  I  answered, 
reddening  at  my  childish  adventure. 

Then  the  King  smiled  again,  and,  much  to 
my  discomfiture,  told  the  story  which  all 
seemed  to  find  mighty  amusing,  save  my- 
self, who  could  see  nothing  therein  but  a  very 
natural  and  exact  distinction.  In  telling  a 
story,  however,  a  king  has  this  advantage 
over  others,  in  that  all  must  laugh  whether 
they  find  it  to  their  liking  or  not. 

183 


SPANISH    JOHN 


r  u  ^.  mm  im  r.%     , 


I  had  hoped  we  would  have  seen  the  Prince 
of  Wales  as  well,  for  in  my  heart  he  was  the 
member  of  the  Royal  Family  I  most  longed 
to  see  again,  but  we  were  informed  he  was 
engaged  in  a  tour  of  Northern  Italy. 


When  the  King  and  the  Duke  withdrew, 
they  signified  to  General  MacDonnell  that  he 
was  to  follow,  and  when  we  bowed  them  out, 
and  the  doors  closed  upon  them,  conversation 
at  once  became  general. 

I  withdrew  to  a  window,  for  I  was  in  no 
frame  of  mind  for  talk,  when,  to  my  astonish- 
ment, I  saw  Creach  advance  towards  me,  hold- 
ing out  his  hand  with  an  assured  air.  I  drew 
myself  up  at  once  and  looked  him  over  slow- 
ly, seeing  everything  but  the  outstretched  hand. 

"This  is  a  place  for  friendship  and  not  for 
boyish  quarrels,  Mr.  McDonell,"  he  began.  "  I 
wish  to  congratulate  you  on  your  promotion." 

"  No  place,  Mr.  Creach,  can  be  for  friend- 
ship between  us,  and  us  for  congratulations, 
they  are  not  only  out  of  place  but  insulting 
from  you,"  I  said,  quietly,  and  in  a  low  voice, 
so  no  one  might  overhear. 

''  In  the  first  place,  my  name  is  not  Creach," 

188 


! 


?l 


SPANMSII    JOHN 

he  said,  trying  hard  to  keep  his  temper,  '^  and 
in  the  second,  you  may  find  it  not  only  foolish 
but  even  dangerous  to  try  any  of  your  airs 
with  me.  Remember,  you  can't  always  have 
a  man  at  your  back  to  fight  your  battles  for 
you." 

"  You  clay  -  faced  hound !"  I  said,  "  don't 
dare  to  take  the  name  of  the  dead  into  your 
mouth,  or  I  will  strike  you  where  you  stand. 
What  your  object  is  in  thus  seeking  me  I  do 
not  know  nor  care,  but  as  sure  as  the  sun  is 
above  if  you  dare  speak  to  me  again  I  will 
forget  the  roof  we  stand  under  and  treat  you 
like  the  dog  you  are."  , 

His  face  turned  greyer  than  ever,  and  he 
stood  hesitating  a  moment,  but  presently 
bowed  ceremoniously,  and  moved  off  before 
my  anger  got  the  better  of  me. 

I  stood  staring  out  of  the  window  trying 
to  recover  myself,  when  who  should  come  up 
but  Father  O'Rourke.  "  Well,  well,  my  little 
Highlander,  who  has  been  ruffling  your  feath- 
ers?" said  he. 

"  Look  there !  Father  O'Rourke,"  I  said,  pay- 
ing no  attention  to  his  nonsense;  "do  you  see 
that  man  ?" 

1H4 


i 


C3 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  I'm  not  hard  of  hearing  yet,  my  son,  thank 
God!  and  you  needn't  make  a  sign -post  of 
yourself.  Do  you  mean  the  claret  -  coloured 
coat  and  the  bag-wig  ?" 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  more  quietly.  "  That  is 
Oreach  I" 

*^  The  devil  it  is !"  he  said,  and  then  he  be- 
came confused,  and  glanced  at  me  to  see  if  I 
had  observed  iiis  slip;  but  I  have  always  held 
that  an  honest  statement  of  opinion  may  ex- 
cuse the  expression.    He  was  silent  for  a  mo- 
ment, looking  hard  at  the  man,  and  then  went 
on  in  his  old  lively  manner.    "  Well,  Giovan- 
.nini,  we  are  not  responsible  for  the  company ; 
they  cannot   be  all  lieutenants  and   priests. 
Let  us  wander  about  and  get  a  mouthful  of 
air."     So,  taking  my  arm,  he  led  me  off,  nor 
would  he  speak  on  the  subject  until  we  were 
alone  on  the  terrace.    There  he  changed  his 
tone,  and  said,  shortly : 
"  Are  you  sure  of  the  man  ?" 
*^  As  sure  as  if  I  had  seen  his  ears." 
"Faith!   they  were  big  enough  to  swear 
by,"  and  to  my  impatience  he  began  to  laugh 
at  the  thought.     '^Do  you  remember  how 
they  stuck  out  ?    The  handles  of  a  jug  would 

185 


SPANISH    JOHN 


be  flat  beside  them,"  and  he  laughed  again. 
"  Now  I  suppose  you  promptly  insulted  him  ?" 

"  Indeed  I  did  not.  I  only  told  him  he  was 
a  dog,  and  if  he  spoke  to  me  again  I  would 
not  answer  for  myself." 

"  Humph  I  I  have  frequently  noticed  a 
Highlander's  conception  of  an  insult  is  mar 
terially  altered  by  the  fact  j^vhether  it  pro- 
ceeds from  himself  or  from  another;  but  1 
don't  suppose  you  ever  got  as  far  in  meta- 
physics as  this.  Now  comes  the  question, 
what  you  intend  to  do  ?  Remember  the  gen- 
tleman seems  fairly  well  established  here. 
Will  you  fight  with  him  ?" 

"  Fight  with  him  ?  A  thief  ?  Indeed  I  will 
not  I    I  will  simply  keep  my  word." 

"  You're  a  rare  hand  at  that,  and  I'm  not 
saying  'tis  a  bad  habit.  But  here  comes  the 
General.  To-morrow  I'll  be  at  the  College 
about  eleven,"  and  so  we  parted. 

The  General  was  in  great  spirits.  "Hark 
you,  McDonell,  something  touching  *the 
North '  is  on  foot.  I'll  not  say  more  now,  and 
this  is  in  strict  confidence,  but  you'll  know 
what  it  means  some  day  when  I  signify  to 
you  that  you  may  apply  for  leave  of  absence. 

186 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

To-morrow,  at  four,  you  will  attend  again  at 
the  Palace ;  the  Duke  desires  to  sea  you.  You 
will  enter  by  the  door  you  know  of,  and  the 
word  is  'Velletri' — but  you  know  nothing," 
he  added,  with  emphasis. 

The  next  morning  Father  O'Rourke  came 
as  promised,  and  was  introduced  by  me  to  the 
Rector  with  some  little  pride.  Indeed,  he  was 
no  mean  figure  of  a  man,  this  Chaplain  of  ours, 
with  his  broad  shoulders  and  great  head,  that 
looked  fitter  for  a  soldier's  tricorne  than  a 
priest's  calotte. 

After  the  usual  compliments  we  fell  to  talk- 
ing. Father  O'Rourke  as  much  at  home  as  if 
he  had  known  the  Rector  all  his  life,  and  it 
was  easy  to  see  the  old  man  warmed  to  him 
as  he  told  him  of  his  work  as  chaplain  in  a 
marching  regiment,  though  making  light  of 
it,  as  was  his  manner. 

"Ah,  Father,"  said  the  Rector,  smiling,  "I 
am  afraid  it  is  somewhat  to  you  that  the  Col- 
lege owes  the  loss  of  this  scholar ;  he  would 
have  been  a  credit  to  the  schools  some 
day." 

"  I  doubt  it.  Most  Reverend,"  answered  Fa- 

187 


} 


i 


li 
ll 


i 


SPANISH    JOHN 

ther  O'Rourke,  dryly,  *^as  he  is  lacking  in  one 
of  the  senses." 

"  In  what,  pray  ?"  asked  the  Rector,  a  little 
stirred.  "I  have  never  observed  any  lack; 
Sight,  Sound,  Taste,  Touch,  and  Speech,  he 
has  them  all." 

"  Your  pardon,  you  have  omitted  Humour," 
returned  Father  O'Rourke,  (juietly;  "and  he 
has  no  more  of  that  than  a  crocodile  has  of 
mathematics.  A  deplorable  lack  in  a  scholar, 
and  useful  anywhere — though  for  the  banging 
of  guns  and  the  cracking  of  skulls  there's  less 
required  than  in  almost  any  other  profession"; 
and  at  this  he  burst  into  one  of  his  foolish 
roai*s  of  laughter,  much  to  my  dislike,  for  I 
wished  him  to  make  a  good  figure  before  my 
protector.  But,  to  my  surprise,  the  Rector 
did  not  seem  half  as  much  put  out  as  myself, 
and  said,  smiling: 

"Well,  well;  this  killing  is  a  serious  busi- 
ness in  any  case." 

"But  not  so  serious  it  could  not  be  tem- 
pered by  a  little  cheerfulness.  'Suaviter  in 
modo '  goes  a  long  way  towards  making  your 
enemy's  end  comfortable,"  mnted  on  Father 
O'Rourke,  with  much  more  that  I  have  not 

188 


SPANISH    JOHN 


the  patience  to  put  down.  Indeed,  I  hold  him 
wrong  throughout,  as  I  have  quite  as  keen  a 
sense  of  humour  us  is  fitting  for  any  gentle- 
man in  my  position. 


But  to  go  on.  When  we  were  alone  he  lis- 
tened quietly  enough  to  ray  remonstrances  to 
his  late  conduct,  merely  saying  he  undci'stood 
that  the  Rector  had  not  been  born  north  of 
the  Tweed,  which  was  no  answer  what- 
ever. 

He  then  recurred  to  our  matter  of  the  day 
before,  saying : 

^'  I  have  been  making  some  inquiries  about 
this  man  Creach." 

"Yes,  and  what  do  you  find?" 

"  I  find,  Mr.  McDonell,  that  if  you  are  go- 
ing to  have  the  run  of  the  Santi  Apostoli  you 
must  number  him  amongst  the  Elect,  for  His 
Saintship  is  in  high  favour.  He  not  only  is 
there  day  in  day  out,  but  is  a  bosom  friend 
of  the  Prince  of  Wales  to  boot." 

"That  I  cannot  credit,"  I  returned.  "His 
Highness  could  not  be  so  mistaken." 

"  Faith,  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  he  returned, 
bitterly ;  "  he  has  some  sorry  cattle  about  him, 

180 


SPANISH    JOHN 


and,  to  say  the  least,  he  is  easily  pleased  in 
the  way  of  company." 

"  Father  O'Rourke,  it  is  not  for  the  likes  of 
you  or  me  to  discuss  the  doings  of  princes, 
and  rU  thank  you  to  say  no  more  on  the  sub- 
ject." 

"Very  well.  Your  Highness.  I  merely 
thought  a  word  in  season  might  save  you 
from  a  like  error,  and  that,  coming  from  a  de- 
scendant of  kings,  like  myself,  it  would  not 
give  ofifence.  But  to  leave  that  aside,  you'll 
have  to  humble  your  stomach  and  swallow 
this  Captain,  claret-coat,  chalk  face,  big  ears, 
and  all,  or  I  will  prophesy  that  you'll  cut  but 
a  small  figure  with  your  betters." 

This  was  as  unpleasant  a  piece  of  news  as  I 
could  well  receive,  and  though  I  could  not  quar- 
rel with  it,  I  at  least  could  resent  the  manner 
of  its  conveyance,  so  I  turned  upon  my  inform- 
ant at  once :  "  Perhaps  this  is  an  example  of 
your  *suaviter  in  modo,'  Father  O'Rourke;  if 
so,  I'll  be  obliged  if  you'll  put  things  in  plain, 
sensible  English,  as  between  gentlemen." 

"Oh,  very  well,  Mr.  John  McDonell  of 
Scottos — do  you  think  it  sounds  better  to  say 
that  his  Royal  Highness  has  not  ordinary 

140 


SPANISH  John 


coinmon  taste  in  choosing  his  companions,  and 
if  you  follow  him,  you  must  be  hail-fellow- 
well-met  with  a  blackguard  like  Creach,  who 
happens  just  now  to  be  in  his  favour?" 

"'Pon  my  soul,  Fatlier  O'Rourke,  you  are 
the  most  provoking  man  I  ever  met!  If  you 
wore  a  sword,  I'd  make  you  answer  for  this!" 
I  roared,  beside  myself  with  anger. 

"Oh,  I  can  waggle  a  sword,  if  need  be,"  he 
answered,  very  cool,  "  but  I  was  thankful  it 
wasn't  a  sword  but  a  calabash  of  good  chianti 
I  had  strapped  on  me  the  night  I  fell  in  with 
you  after  Yelletri.  There,  there,  Giovannini ; 
'tis  nothing  to  make  such  a  pother  about,  only 
you  and  I  are  too  old  friends  to  quarrel  over 
such  gentry  as  Mr.  Creach." 

Tint  it  wasn't  Mr.  Creach,  Father.  I  nev- 
er would  have  lost  my  temper  over  him ;  I 
thought  you  were  poking  fun  at  me." 

"Ah,  Mr.  Lieutenant,  in  humour,  like  in 
file -firing,  a  sense  of  direction  is  a  great 
thing." 

And  so  we  made  it  all  up  again,  and  with 
Angus  we  had  the  chanti  and  fruit  which  the 
Rector  had  thoughtfully  provided  in  my 
chamber. 

141 


SPANISH    JOHN 


At  four  o*olook  I  took  my  way  to  the  secret 
entrance  of  the  Santi  Apostoli,  found  the  fa- 
miliar passage  and  a  lackey  awaiting  me  in 
the  garden  to  conduct  me  to  the  Duke. 

He  was  then  about  nineteen,  though  I  did 
not  think  he  appeared  much  my  elder  save 
in  his  manner,  which  was  that  of  a  Prince, 
though  most  lively  and  engaging.  He  soon 
opened  the  reason  of  the  visit. 

"  Mr.  McDonell,"  he  said,  "  I  am  sure  you 
are  faithful  and  can  be  trusted." 

"  Your  Royal  Highness,"  I  answered,  "  my 
people  have  been  true  to  you  and  yours  for 
generations,  and  it  would  ill  become  me  to 
have  any  principles  other  than  those  we  have 
always  held.  You  can  count  on  me  to  the 
very  end." 

**  I  was  sure  of  it,"  he  answered,  smiling, 
holding  out  both  his  hands,  which  I  grasped 
with  emotion.  "  Now  to  business,"  and  he 
civilly  invited  me  to  be  seated  in  an  embra- 
sure of  a  window. 

"  My  brother,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  is  travel- 
ling, it  is  true,  but  not  in  Italy ;  he  left  here 
secretly  in  January  last,  and  since  then  has 
been  in  France,  and  at  any  day  an  expedition 

142 


SPANISH    JOHN 


may  be  formed  for  Scotland,  for  we  huve  the 
Burest  hope  of  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the 
French  Court. 

"  Now  I  and  His  Majesty  must  have  messen- 
gers at  hand  on  whom  we  can  absolutely  rel}' ; 
and  my  request  to  you  is  that  you  will  not 
volunteer  for  service  when  the  news  comes, 
but  will  remain  with  your  company  here  in 
Italy;  we  have  positive  assurances  you  will 
be  permitted  to  leave  at  any  moment  we  may 
signify.  I  know  that  I  am  asking  you  a  hard 
service,  but  it  is  an  important  one,  for  there 
are  but  few  men  whom  we  can  trust  for  such 
a  mission. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  say  when  you  may  be 
needed,  but  your  reward  will  be  such  when 
the  time  comes  that  others  will  envy  your 
choice,  and  I  and  the  King,  my  father,  will 
ever  remember  the  man  who  was  ready  to  sac- 
rifice the  empty  glory  of  the  parade  of  war 
for  the  trust  laid  on  him. 

"  You  must  keep  yourself  free  of  all  entan- 
glements, for  your  absolute  freedom  to  move 
at  once  will  be  of  the  utmost  importance  to 
the  Prince  and  to  your  country.  Surely  I 
may  count  on  you  for  this  ?" 

148 


SPANISH    JOHN 


And  I  swore  faithfulness  from  the  bottom 
of  my  heart. 

Then  changing  hu^  tone,  he  began  more 
lightly :  "  There  is  another  small  favour,  a  per 
sonnl  one,  I  would  ask  of  you  yet.  There  is 
a  gentleman  here  in  our  court  named  Mr. 
Graeme — " 

"  Mr.  Creach,  Your  Highness,"  I  could  not 
help  interrupting. 

*'  Mr.  (iraeme.  I  said,"  he  returned,  with 
something  of  hauteur.  "  You  will  be  required 
to  meet  him,  possibly  to  have  business  with 
hir.i,  and  I  desire  as  a  personal  favour  to  me," 
and  he  laid  much  stress  on  the  words,  '^  that 
you  will  lay  aside  all  previous  difficulties  or 
misunderstandings  uetween  you  until  your 
engagement  with  nie  is  at  an  end.  Surely  I 
am  not  asking  too  much  in  urging  a  favour  at 
this  beginning  of  your  service,"  and  I  was  so 
overcome  with  the  graciousnoss  of  his  manner 
that  I  promised,  although  sore  against  my 
will. 

We  then  had  a  private  audience  with  the 
King,  who  was  pleased  to  recall  the  services 
of  my  grandfather,  old  ^neas  of  Scottos,  and 
bis  brothers  Glengarry,  Tx)chgarry,  and  Barig- 

144 


SPANISH    JOHV 

dale,  whom  be  knew  personally  in  1715,  and 
flattered  me  by  saying  be  congratulated  tbe 
Duke  of  York  on  having  a  messenger  of  such 
approved  fidelity  ;  "  for,  Mr.  McDonell,  your 
General  tells  me  be  would  trust  you  with  his 
own  honour." 

"  His  Excellency  has  been  like  a  father  to 
me,  Sire,"  I  answei'ed ;  and  shortly  afterwards 
our  interview  closed,  the  Duke  paying  me  the 
honour  of  accompanying  me  to  the  door  and 
insisted  on  shaking  hands,  nor  would  be  admit 
of  any  ceremony  at  leave-taking. 


The  next  morning  some  one  knocked  at  my 
door,  and,  on  opening  it,  there,  to  my  surprise 
and  disgust,  I  saw  Cr(3ach,  dressed  in  the  most 
foppish  manner.  However,  I  dissembled  my 
feelings,  and  to  his  gi-eeting  said,  with  civtiity: 

"I  wish  you  goo  l-morning,  Mr.  Creach." 

"  By  God !  sir,  if  you  repeat  that  name  to 
me,  I  will  run  you  through !"  and  he  laid  his 
hand  to  his  sword. 

I  glanced  quickly  to  see  my  own  was  with- 
in easy  reach  on  the  table,  and  then,  ''  Mr. 
Creach,"  I  said,"!  promisecJ  His  Uoyul  High- 
ness the  Duke  that  I  would  not  quarrel  with 
c  lis 


SPANISH    JOHN 


yoa,  and  nothing  will  make  me  break  my 
word,  80  don't  go  on  pretending  to  find  in- 
sults in  my  conversation,  Mr.  Greacb,  or  it 
will  become  one-sided.  I  am  a  man  of  very 
few  ideas,  and  one  of  them  is  that  'Mr. 
Creach*— no,* Captain  Creach' — was  the  name 
by  which  you  were  introduced  to  me,  and  so 
Creach  you  must  remain  till  the  end  of  the 
chapter,  Mr.  Creach." 

But  he  had  recovered  himself  with  great  ad- 
dress, and  said,  with  an  air  of  much  openness : 

"  Mi*.  McDonell,  what  is  the  sense  of  keeping 
up  this  farce  of  quarrelling  'i  We  must  meet, 
therefore  let  us  do  it  with  decency,  as  befits 
the  cause  to  which  our  honour  is  pledged." 

*'  Mr.  Creach,  if  I  were  not  a  man  moderate 
in  all  things,  and  were  not  my  word  pledged  to 
the  Duke,  nothing  in  the  world  would  prevent 
me  throwing  you  down  these  stairs,  and  I 
could  have  no  greater  pleasure  than  to  see 
you  break  your  neck  at  the  bottom ;  but  since 
I  am  forced  to  treat  you  as  a  gentleman,  kindly 
deliver  yourself  of  your  business  and  leave  me 
to  mine." 

*'  I  am  doubly  fortunate  then,  Mr.  McDonell, 
first  to  the  Duke  and  second  to  your  high  sense 

146 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I 


of  honour.  But  I  will  not  bandy  compli- 
ments. His  Highness  bade  me  deliver  this 
letter  and  his  regrets  that  he  will  not  see  you 
again,  as  he  hears  General  MacDonnell  leaves 
for  the  army  at  Spoletto  today." 

'*  My  humble  duty  to  His  Highness,  sir," 
and  I  bowed  to  him  mighty  stiff,  and  he  with- 
drew, leaving  me  very  thankful  that  I  had 
not  been  betrayetl  into  any  heat  nor  broken 
my  word  to  the  Duke. 

On  bur./ing  to  the  General's  quarters  I 
found  V\v  news  was  true,  and  that  he  had 
already  sent  for  i-ie ;  so,  after  short  farewells, 
we  rode  through  the  Porta  del  Popolo  and  took 
the  highway  towards  Spoletto. 

I  will  not  follow  our  campaign  through  the 
winter,  except  to  say  wo  were  fairly  success- 
ful and  saw  some  brilliant  service,  particular- 
ly at  La  Boohetta  and  during  tlie  investment 
of  Tortona. 

During  this  winter  I  lost  my  best  of  friends. 
General  MacDonnell,  who  died  of  a  fever  occa- 
sioned by  the  fatigue  of  our  forced  marching 
on  Genoa ;  and  a  few  days  afterwards  ho  was 
follo\  3d  by  his  brother,  the  .Major-General,  of 

U7 


SPANISH    .InllX 

a  fever  also,  resulting  from  the  breaking  out 
of  an  old  wound  he  had  received  in  the  shoul- 
der some  fifteen  ^'eare  before. 


All  this  time  I  had  l)een  anxiously  expect- 
ing orders  from  the  Duke,  but  the  only  word 
which  came  was  a  letter  contjiinin**-  the  dis- 
heartening tidings  of  the  failure  of  tiie  expe- 
dition under  Marshal  Saxe,  ind  then  we  were 
all  startled  at  the  news  of  the  Prince's  em- 
barkation in  the  Dnutdle  and  the  KlhithHh. 

"  It  is  simple  madness,"  said  Father 
O'Rourke,  when  the  tidings  were  announced 
in  the  General's  tent  at  dinner — indeed,  one 
of  the  last  occasions  when  he  had  us  all  at  his 
table,  as  he  loved. 

"'Tis  the  kind  of  madness  that  heroes  are 
made  of,''  said  the  General,  heartily.  "  Here, 
gentlemen !  glasses  all !  Here's  to  Royal 
Cliarles,  and  may  he  never  stop  till  he  sleeps 
in  St.  James'!"  and,  warmed  by  his  enthusiasm, 
he  broke  into  the  old  Irish  Jacobite  song: 

"  '  lid's  all  ray  heart's  treasure,  my  joy  nnd  my  pleasure, 
So  justly,  ray  love,  my  hrart  follows  thee ; 

And  I  um  resolved,  in  foul  or  fair  weather, 
To  seek  out  my  Blackbird,  wherever  he  be.'" 

148 


T 


" 'OKNTI.KMKN  !      UI,A8SKM   M.lV 


SPANISH    JUlIX 

Such  was  the  enthusiasm  that  we  were  all 
ready  to  volunteer,  but  as  the  General  said, 
dryly  enough,  ''  What  is  to  become  of  the 
Austrians  if  you  all  leave?  You  might  as 
well  desert  to  the  enemy  at  once  and  have 
done  with  it." 

While  we  awaited  with  impatience  an  an- 
swer to  our  application,  word  came  to  me  fron* 
the  Duke  that  I  was  on  no  account  to  appl} 
for  leave  until  such  time  as  he  sent  me  certain 
word  himself.  It  was  a  bitter  disappoint- 
ment, but  I  was  not  alone,  as  the  military 
authorities  saw  fit  to  refuse  all  applications 
until  the  matter  was  further  advanced. 


At  last,  in  the  month  of  January,  letters 
came  saying  the  Duke  was  about  starting, 
that  leave  was  granted  me  as  well  as  certain 
others,  with  instructions  to  report  to  Mr. 
Sempil,  the  King^s  Agent  at  Paris,  who  would 
direct  us  further. 

Conceiving  my  future  duties  called  for  free- 
dom from  immediate  service,  I  sent  in  my  for- 
mal resignation,  and  received  from  ourC'olonel, 
Ranald  MacDonnell,  u  ('(M'tilicute  ti'stifying  in 
Battering   terms  to   tlte  services  I   had   per* 


SPANISH    JOHN 


formed,  to  my  honour  as  a  gentleman  and  my 
conduct  as  an  officer  while  under  his  command 
in  the  Company  of  St.  James : 

"  Nous,  Colonel  du  Regiment  d'lDfanterie  d'Irlande 
de  8t.  J«cque8,  certifioos  que  le  Siour  Jean  McDonell 
de  Glengarry,  sous- lieutenant  au  dit  Regiment,  s'est  tou> 
jours  comports  pendant  tout  le  temps  qu'il  y  a  servi  en 
Oentilhomme  d'honneur,  brave  offlcier,  et  avec  une  con* 
duite  irrSprocbable  &  tout  6gard  ;  en  foy  de  quoy  nous  lui 
avons  donuS  le  present.  Fait  &  Plaisance  le  douzidme 
Janvier,  mil  sept  cent  quarante  six. 

"MacDonmbll." 

To  my  surprise  I  found  the  name  of  Father 
O^Rourke  amongst  those  allowed  to  volunteer, 
and  when  we  were  alone  I  said,  rallying  him : 

"I  was  not  aware  you  were  so  strong  a 
Jacobite,  Father." 

**  Well,  to  tell  the  truth  I  am  not,  except  in 
the  way  of  sentiment ;  but  sentiment,  my  dear 
Giovannini,  as  you  are  aware,  will  induce  a 
sensible  man  to  do  more  foolish  things  than 
any  other  power  in  the  world.  Still,  I  regard 
myself  as  in  the  path  of  duty,  for  I  conceive 
there  may  be  some  Jacobites  who  will  be  none 
the  worse  for  a  little  extra  morality  dispensed 
by  even  my  unworthy  hands." 

100 


SPANISH    JOHN 

I  did  not  question  him  further,  as  I  dreaded 
one  of  his  usual  rodomontades. 


We  left  at  once  with  the  good  wishes  of  all, 
took  barge  at  Genoa  as  far  as  Antibes,  and 
thence  by  post  to  Lyons,  where  we  put  up  at 
the  Hotel  du  Pare. 

Here  we  met  a  number  of  French  officers, 
who  brought  newfi  of  the  Battle  of  Falkirk, 
wherein  Prir^e  Charles  had  beaten  the  Eng- 
lish cavalry  and  infantry  off  the  field;  and 
though,  at  the  same  time,  we  knew  he  had  re- 
treated from  England,  it  did  not  serve  to  dash 
our  spirits,  and  we  supped  merrily  together, 
drinking  toast  after  toast  to  the  success  of  the 
Oause. 

All  the  old  songs  were  sung  lustily,  and  the 
French  officers  were  much  amused  at  our  en- 
thusiasm; but  it  was  Father  O'Rourke  who 
carried  off  the  honours  of  the  evening  by  sing- 
ing the  following,  to  an  air  that  wa^  new  to 
me: 

Oh  the  watflr,  the  water, 
The  dun  and  eerie  water, 
Which  long  hat  parted  loving  hearts  that  wearied  for 
their  home! 

m 


\ 


SPANISH    JOHN 

O'er  the  water,  the  water, 
The  dark,  dividing  water. 
Our  Bonnie  Prince  hat  come  at  last,  at  last— to  claim  his 
Own. 
He  has  come  to  hearts  that  waited, 
He  has  come  to  hearts  that  welcome, 
He  has  come  though  friends  have  wavered,  with  the  foe 
upon  bis  track. 
But  what  loyal  heart  will  falter 
When  our  Bonnie  Prince  is  standing 
With  his  banner  blue  above  his  head  and  his  claymore 
at  his  back  T 

Then  gather  ye,  Appin,  Glanranald,  Glengarry  ! 
The  GruHS  has  gone  round  !    Will  a  single  man  tarry 
When  we  march  with  our  Prince  against  Oeordie's  Dutch 
carles  t 
We  are  out  for  the  King ! 
We  will  conquer  or  swing  t 
But  the  bonnie  brown  broadswords  will  kllnk  and  will 
kling 
From  the  Tweed  to  the  Thames  for  our  Bonnie  Prince 
Charles  I 


Oh  1  the  waiting,  the  waiting, 
The  cruel  night  of  waiting, 
When  we  brake  the  bread  of  sorrow  and  drank  our  bit- 
ter tears, 
|t  has  broken  at  bis  coming 
Like  the  mist  on  Corryvechan, 
In  the  sunlight  of  his  presence  we  have  lost  our  mid- 
•    night  fears. 

m 


SPANISH    JOHN 

When  the  Prince  unfurled  his  standard 
In  the  green  vale  of  Olenflnnan, 
Beneath  a  sky  as  bright  and  blue,  blown  clear  of  storm 
and  wrack, 
The  Loyal  chiefs  came  thronging 
To  where  their  Prince  was  standing 
With  his  iNinner  blue  above  his  head  and  his  claymore 
at  his  hack. 

Then  gather  ye,  Appin,  Clanranald,  Glengarry ! 
The  Cross  has  gone  round  !     Will  a  Hingle  man 
tarry 
When  we  march  with  our  Prince  against  Geordie's  Dutch 
carles  ? 
We  are  out  for  the  King ! 
We  will  conquer  or  swing  I 
But  the  bonnie  brown  broadswords  will  klink  and  will 
kling 
From  the  Tweed  to  the  Thames  for  our  Bonnie  Prince 
Charles  1 

Oh !  the  heather,  the  heather, 
Our  modest  hill -side  heather. 
Hath  donned  her  royal  robe  again  to  welcome  back  her 
Own. 
The  roses  bloom  once  more  in  hearts 
Tlial  hope  deferred  was  wasting 
That  will  march  with  Bonnie  Charlie,  to  halt  only  at  hit* 
Throne  ! 
We  have  suffered,  we  have  sorrowed, 
Pat  our  joy  has  come  with  morning, 

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SPANISH    JOHN 


And  all  is  shining  gloriously  that  late  was  drear  and 
black. 
Then  up  and  out,  ye  gallant  hearts, 
To  where  your  Prince  is  standing. 
With  his  banner  blue  above  his  head  and  his  claymore 
at  his  back ! 

Then  gather  ye,  Appin,  Clanranald,  Glengarry  1 
The  Gross  has  gone  round  !    Will  a  single  man  tarry 
When  we  march  with  our  Prince  against  Geordie's  Dutch 
carles  ? 
We  are  out  for  the  King ! 
We  will  conquer  or  swing ! 
But  the  bonnie  brown  broadswords  will  klink  and  will 
kling 
From  the  Tweed  to  the  Thames  for  our  Bonnie  Prince 
Charles  1 

When  he  ended  we  cheered  and  cheered, 
breaking  our  glasses,  half  crying,  half  laugh- 
ing, until  we  made  the  room  ring  again ;  and 
the  people  in  the  square  listening  to  us  began 
to  cheer  in  sympathy,  and,  unable  to  control 
myself,  1  jumped  up,  and,  catching  the  big 
form  of  the  priest  to  my  bosom,  fairly  hugged 
him  in  my  arms, "  Oh,  Father  O'Rourke  1  How 
could  you  ever  do  it  and  you  not  a  Highlander 
at  all  ?"  1  cried,  in  my  wonder. 

"  Faith,  I  could  do  the  same  for  a  Hottentot 

164 


SPANISH    JOHN 

if  I  could  only  manage  his  irregular  verbs,"  he 
shouted,  struggling  out  of  my  embrace.  "  And 
now,  gentlemen !  If  you  don't  stop  this  hulla- 
baloo, you'll  be  arrested  for  disturbing  the 
peace  of  this  good  town  of  Lyons,  and  if  you 
don't  stop  cracking  those  bottles  your  heads 
will  be  as  easy  cracking  for  the  English  when 
it  comes  to  hard  knocks!"  And  off  he  went 
with  a  storm  of  cheers  after  him. 


1740 

How  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  met  with  the  Duke  of  York, 
who  charged  me  with  a  secret  mission  towards  Prince 
Charles ;  of  our  voyage  to  Scotland,  and  the  dismal 
tidings  that  there  met  us. 

The  next  morning  Father  O'Rourke's  words 
came  true,  for  there  were  many  aching  heads 
amongst  us,  of  which  my  own  was  one,  and 
the  jolting  of  the  Paris  diligence  did  not  in 
any  way  improve  their  condition  nor  their 
owners'  tempers.  It  is  surprising  how  mighti- 
ly the  hot  enthusiasms  of  overnight  will  cool 
down  by  daylight  —  and  here  was  an  exam- 
ple. Last  night  there  was  not  one  of  us  but 
would  have  embarked  to  the  Prince's  support 
without  a  second  thought  of  the  chances,  and 
not  one  would  have  admitted  that  the  chances, 
if  any,  were  aught  but  rose -coloured;  but 
with  the  morning  everything  took  on  a  ditfer- 
ent  complexion,  and  the  whole  of  our  way 

m 


SPANISH    JOHN 

to  Paris  was  filled  with  nothing  but  the  most 
dismal  forebodings. 


I  addressed  myself  to  Mr.  Sempil,  and  found 
that  the  Duke  would  expect  me  in  about  a 
week  at  Boulogne;  and  in  the  mean  time  I  did 
what  I  could  to  raise  the  spirits  and  determi- 
nation of  my  companions. 

At  length  we  had  a  general  consultation, 
and,  much  to  my  disgust,  they  one  and  all  be- 
gan to  plan,  not  for  our  joining  the  Prince, 
but  for  offering  the  most  excellent  reasons  why 
they  should  then  and  there  return :  "  the  Prince 
had  retreated  from  England  ;  the  passage  was 
dangerous  on  account  of  the  English  fleet ;  the 
French  could  not  be  relied  upon  for  any  ma- 
toiMul  aid ;  and,  lastly,  Spring  was  approa'^hing, 
and  tliey  would  lose  their  chances  of  promo- 
tion in  the  ensuing  campaign,"  and  so  on. 

"In  short,  gentlemen,"  I  said,  out  of  pa- 
tience at  last,  "  you  all  came  here  prepared  to 
sing  the  same  song,  and  you  do  it  to  perfec- 
tion. Your  arguments  do  more  credit  to  your 
heads  than  to  your  hearts.  If  the  Prince 
were  safe  in  London  you  would  be  the  first  to 
flock  after  him  ;  but  now,  when  he  most  needs 

157 


SPANISH    JOHN 


your  assistance,  you  are  like  a  pack  of  old 
women  inventing  terrors  to  excuse  your  cow- 
ardice." 

There  were  some  of  them  who  pretended  to 
take  exception  to  my  words ;  but  as  I  assured 
them  I  would  be  only  too  pleased  to  make 
any  or  all  of  them  good,  and  the  sooner  the 
better,  they  did  not  go  beyond  their  protest. 

But  if  they  found  my  words  unpalatable, 
Father  O'Rourke  gave  them  something  more 
difficult  to  digest. 

"  I  object  to  the  gentleman's  manner  of  put- 
ting it  myself,"  he  began;  "he  is  altogether 
too  mealy  -  mouthed,  which  comes  no  d  >ubt 
from  his  diet  in  boyhood.  If  he  were  only  a 
blathering  Irishman  like  the  rest  of  you,  he 
would  be  shouting  Jacobite  songs,  and  guz- 
zling Jacobite  toasts,  and  whispering  Jacobite 
treasons,  and  never  venture  an  inch  of  his 
precious  carcass,  until  the  moon  turned  into  a 
Jacobite  cheese  and  was  ready  to  drop  into 
his  mouth.  I'm  ashamed  of  you  all!  Go 
back  to  your  macaroni  and  polenta,  and  brag 
about  Cremona  and  other  battles  you  never 
fought,  and  see  if  you  cannot  breed  some 
mongrel  mixture  that  will  make  you  ashamed 

168 


SPANISH    JOHN 

of  the  way  you  have  behaved  this  day. 
There !  that's  what  I  say  to  you ;  and  if  any 
of  you  don't  like  it,  get  down  on  your  mar- 
row-bones and  thank  Heaven  that  the  rules 
of  his  Church  prevent  Father  O'Eourke,  late 
Chaplain  of  the  Company  of  St.  James,  wear- 
ing a  sword,  or,  by  the  Powers !  you  would 
go  back  like  so  many  pinked  bladders  I" 

And  to  my  surprise,  these  men,  who  were 
wont  to  smell  an  insult  afar  off,  and  whose 
courage  in  the  field  was  unquestioned,  re- 
ceived this  intolerable  tirade  as  quietly  as 
school-boys  after  a  whipping — and  so  the  mat- 
ter rested,  and  they  went  their  way  and  we 
ours. 


I  wrote  to  Mr.  Constable,  then  Secretary  to 
the  Duke  of  York,  of  the  resolution  of  my  com- 
rades, and,  by  return  of  post,  I  received  orders 
from  His  Koyal  Highness  to  repair  to  Bou- 
logne, which  I  immediately  complied  with,  ac- 
companied by  Father  O'Eourke. 

On  reaching   Boulogne,  we^  enquired  our 

way  to  Mr.  Constable's  lodgings,  and  upon 

knocking  at  his  chamber-door  it  was  opened 

by  the  Duke  himself. 
«  159 


Sl^ANlSH    JOH.V 


ill;!  !• 


! 


"  Welcome,  Mr.  McDonell,  welcome ;  and 
you,  too.  Father  O'Rourke.  You  see  we  are  so 
few  we  have  dispensed  with  ceremony  here  in 
Boulogne/^  he  said,  giving  a  hand  to  each  of 
us. 

"  We  ourselves  dispensed  with  it,  and  most 
of  our  following  as  well,  in  Paris,  your  High- 
ness," said  Father  O'Rourke,  laughing,  "though 
I  don't  know  that  we'd  have  been  any  more 
had  we  used  all  the  ceremony  of  the  Court  of 
Spain ; "  and  then,  without  waiting  to  be  in- 
troduced to  the  other  gentlemen  present,  he 
began  the  story  of  his  farewell  speech  to  the 
volunteers  from  Italy,  and  set  them  all  a-laugh- 
ing  heartily  with  his  impudence. 

I  was  somewhat  taken  aback,  but  thought 
it  best  to  ofifer  no  remonstrance;  indeed,  I 
could  not  imagine  any  company  which  would 
have  put  Father  O'Rourke  out  of  counte- 
nance.- I  felt  ill  at  ease,  not  having  shifted 
myself,  as  I  had  not  expected  to  see  any  one 
save  Mr.  Constable;  but  Father  O'Rourke 
talked  and  moved  among  them  all  in  his  rust\^ 
cassock  without  an  apology  for  his  condition. 
However,  I  soon  forgot  such  trifles  in  my  in- 
terest in  the  company  gathered.    Besides  His 

160 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Highness,  there  were  the  Duke  of  Fitz-James, 
son  of  the  great  Duke  of  Berwick,  and  many 
noblemen  of  distinction  and  general  officers, 
among  whom  I  was  introduced  to  the  Count 
Lally-Tollendal,  whose  unjust  execution  at  the 
hands  of  his  enemies  some  years  later  aroused 
the  sympathies  of  all  Europe. 

The  plans  of  the  Prince  and  hopes  of  aid 
from  King  Louis  were  discussed  with  the  ut- 
most freedom  and  with  much  hope,  for  it  was 
confidently  expected  an  expedition  for  Scot- 
land would  be  equipped  immediately,  which 
the  Duke  was  to  command,  as  it  was  on  this 
promise  he  had  come  from  Italy. 


Lis 


But  one  week  went  by,  and  then  another, 
and  yet  we  had  no  satisfaction  from  the  Court, 
not  even  excuses,  and  I  could  not  but  observe 
that,  though  others  still  had  implicit  faith  in 
some  action  by  King  Louis,  the  Duke  began 
to  lose  heart. 

"  Ah,  the  poor  young  man,"  said  Father 
O'Rourke,  "my  heart  is  sore  for  him.  He 
has  more  sense  than  the  rest  of  them,  and 
faith,  I  think,  has  more  heart,  too,  and  so 
takes  it  harder.  Do  you  know,  Giovannini, 
L  161 


'  i 


If  i 


i  I 


SPANISH    .lOlIX 

'tis  a  great  misfortune  to  be  born  in  the  ranks 
of  princes;  they're  the  only  class  of  men  I 
know  of  that  are  untrustworthy  as  a  whole. 
King  David  knew  the  breed  well,  and  did  not 
he  write  '  Put  not  your  trust  in  princes '  (Nol- 
lite  confidere  in  principibus)?  and  here  is  the 
Duke  eating  his  heart  out  because  he  is  learn- 
ing the  bitter  text  King  David  preached  thou- 
sands of  years  ago." 

We  were  seated  in  a  lonely  place  outside 
the  town,  overlooking  the  sea,  and  watclied 
the  lights  below  us  gently  rising  and  falling 
on  the  fishing-vessels  and  other  craft  at  anch- 
or, and  marked  among  them  the  bright  Ian- 
thorns  of  a  man-of-war  which  topped  all  the 
others. 

Presently  we  heard  footsteps,  and  the  Duke 

came  up  alone ;  it  was  not  so  dark  but  he  could 

recognize  us,  which  he  did  very  quietly,  and, 

advancing,  seated  himself  between  us,  saying, 

"  Do  not  move,  gentlemen,  and  forget  I  am 

the  Duke  for  an  hour.    My  heart  is  sick  of 

empty  forms  which  mean  nothing,"  and  he 

sate  in  silence  for  a  long  time  with  his  elbows 

on  his  knees  and  his  chin  in  his  hands  gazing 

out  over  the  sea. 

162 


SPANISH    JOHN 


At  length  he  said,  slowly,  as  if  to  himself, 
"  I  would  give  ten  years  of  my  life  to  be  on 
board  that  frigate  with  the  men  I  would 
choose  and  a  fair  wind  for  Scotland.  To 
think  of  ray  poor  brother  longing  and  won- 
dering why  some  support  does  not  come,  and 
I  idle  here  with  empty  hands,"  and  something 
like  a  sob  ended  his  words. 

Then  Father  O'Kourke  spake  in  a  voice  as 
gentle  as  if  he  comforted  a  woman.  "  Your 
Highness,  when  we  were  children,  the  story 
we  loved  best  to  hear  was  the  one  our  mother 
never  told  us — about  'The  Little  Red  Hen.' 
Who  'The  Little  Red  Hen'  was,  or  where 
she  came  from,  or  what  she  did,  we  never 
could  learn.  She  was  just  'The  Little  Red 
Hen,'  and  had  no  story  at  all.  But  her 
story  which  no  one  ever  heard  was  better  than 
that  of  '  Brian  Boru,'  or  '  Malachi  of  the  Collar 
of  Gold,'  or  '  Rookey  the  Water  Witch,'  any 
of  whom  would  come  out  without  much  coax- 
ing and  parade  up  and  down  until  we  knew 
them  through  and  through,  while  the  very 
name  of, 'The  Little  Red  Hen'  would  quiet 
the  biggest  trouble  that  ever  broke  our  hearts. 
My  own  belief  is  that  she  stayed  at  home 

163 


T 


S  P  A  NM  S  H    .1  0  H  X 


hi 


iii 


H' 


ill 


and  kept  the  breath  of  life  in  the  family  by 
laying  her  eggs  and  scratching  up  food  for 
the  chickens;  but  wherever  she  was,  there 
was  no  cackling  to  lead  us  to  her.  She  was 
just  doing  her  work,  helping  the  tired  hearts 
and  healing  the  sore  ones,  and  all  these  years 
no  one  ever  set  eyes  on  her,  more  than  on  the 
dew  that  falls  at  night  on  the  thirsty  land." 

And  that  was  all ;  no  beginning,  no  end,  and 
I  wondered  what  he  was  at,  with  his  silly  sto- 
ries of  Red  Hens,  fit  only  for  a  lot  of  bare-leg- 
ged children ;  but  the  Duke  must  have  seen 
something  else,  for  after  a  little  he  broke  into 
a  more  lively  humour  and  said,  half  laughing, 
"  Upon  my  word.  Father  O'Rourke,  you  Irish 
are  a  wonderful  people !" 

"We  are  all  that,  your  Highness,"  he  re- 
turned, with  great  complacence.  "We  are  a 
terrible  convenient  people  to  have  about  when 
everything  is  going  right,  and,  for  the  matter 
of  that,  when  everything  is  going  wrong  as 
well,  if  we  only  have  some  one  with  a  strong 
hand  to  lead  us ;  but  make  us  all  equal  and 
we  are  no  more  use  than  a  lot  of  .chickens 
with  their  heads  cut  off." 

"  Father  O'Rourke,"  said  the  Duke,  sudden- 

164 


ter 
as 


$ns 


'    H'f 


ij:     ii! 


SPANISH    JOHN 

ly, "  sing  me  tha#  song  I  heard  of  your  singing 
at  Lyons." 

"  I  will  with  all  my  heart,  your  Highness," 
and,  making  his  big  voice  as  soft  as  a  girl's,  he 
began  without  any  further  words : 

"Oh  the  water,  the  water," 

When  he  had  finished,  the  Duke  sate  silent 
a  little,  then  he  rose  and  said,  "  Gentlemen,  I 
thank  you  for  the  first  hour  of  quiet  I  have 
had  for  weeks.  Come,  let  us  go  back."  And 
at  the  door  of  his  lodgings  he  bade  us  good- 
night, saying  to  Father  O'Rourke,  "  Don't  be 
surprised  if  I  should  come  to  you  some  day  to 
hear  the  rest  of  the  story  of  '  The  Little  Red 
Hen.' " 


The  forebodings  of  the  Duke  came  true; 
no  expedition  was  forthcoming,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  send  in  single  vessels  such  aid  as 
could  be  procured.  One  left  Dunkirk  in  the 
beginning  of  April  with  three  hundred  men 
and  many  officers,  but  I  was  still  bidden  to 
remain. 

Shortly  afterwards  the  Duke  commanded 
me  to  repair  to  Dunkirk  and  there  await  him. 

166 


I        jH 


SPANISH    JOHN 

He  there  sent  me  the  grateful  assurance  that 
I  was  to  start  almost  at  once  charged  with 
considerable  monies,  which  he  was  about  rais- 
ing, and  also  letters  for  the  Prince,  and  at  the 
same  time  confided  to  me  that  he  had  almost 
transmitted  a  large  sum  by  the  hands  of 
Creach,  or  "  Mr.  Graeme,"  as  he  styled  him — 
news  I  was  sadly  disappointed  to  hear,  for  I 
could  not  bring  myself  to  trust  the  man  in 
any  particular. 

In  a  few  days  the  Duke  arrived,  and  the 
next  day  was  invited  to  dinner  by  my  Lord 
Clare,  then  in  command  of  the  French  troops 
in  and  about  the  place.  As  Father  O'Kourke 
and  I  were  considered  to  be  in  the  Duke's  ret- 
inue, we  were  also  asked.  Lord  Clare,  observ- 
ing my  uniform,  enquired  of  the  Duke  who  I 
was,  and  was  informed  I  was  a  Highland  gen- 
tleman named  McDonell,  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
Spanish  Army  in  Italy.  After  some  further 
conversation  with  the  Duke,  he  addressed 
himself  to  me,  saying,  without  any  introduc- 
tion : 

"Mr.  McDonell,  I  have  a  company  now 
vacant  in  my  regiment,  and  if  you  will  accept, 
it  is  this  moment  at  your  service." 

166 


SPANISH    J0*1N 


I  rose,  and,  commanding  mj'self  as  well  as 
possible  under  this  surprise,  said :  "  Your  Ex- 
cellency has  my  most  humble  thanks  for  your 
handsome  offer,  but  I  only  left  my  late  service, 
wherei»i  I  had  gained  some  recognition,  in 
order  to  devote  myself  to  my  protectors  and 
benefactors,  the  Royal  Family,  to  whom  I  am 
bound  by  the  strongest  ties  of  gratitude." 

The  Duke  looked  at  me  with  a  real  pleasure 
in  his  eyes,  and  I  was  proud  that  I  could  af- 
ford him  even  a  passing  gratification. 

Presently  the  Duke  requested  his  Lordship 
to  grant  him  a  favour. 

"I  am  sure  your  Highness  will  not  ask 
anything  beyond  my  poor  powers,"  he  an- 
swered. 

"There  are  no  political  complications  in 
this,"  laughed  the  Duke.  "  I  would  only  ask 
that  my  friend,  Father  O'Rourke,  be  requested 
to  sing  for  us  a  song  which  has  been  running 
through  my  head  since  I  first  heard  it  from 
him  the  other  night." 

Whereupon  Lord  Clare  requested  him  to 
sing,  and  straightway  he  began,  for  the  fifti- 
eth time  that  I  had  heard  him,  at  the  same 
old  song.     And  herein  lies  the  poverty   of 

107 


Mi 


11 


It 


!i  II 


ii 


SPANISH    JOHN 

these  rhymers,  for  if  by  any  chance  they  hit 
something  that  tickles  the  ear,  they  must  be 
harping  on  it  until  the  patience  of  their  inti- 
mates is  wearied  beyond  words.  But  I  could 
afford  to  let  him  win  his  reward,  for  I  consid- 
ered I  had  cut  no  inconsiderable  figure  before 
the  company  myself. 

Two  or  three  days  later  we  left  Dunkirk 
for  St.  Omer,  where  I  at  last  received  my  or- 
ders. I  was  to  return  secretly  to  Dunkirk  and 
there  take  passage  in  a  swift  sailing  cutter, 
lately  captured  from  the  English,  and  carry 
a  sum  of  three  thousand  guineas,  together 
with  important  despatches  and  letters  for  the 
Prince. 

The  Duke  was  very  down  the  last  night  we 
spent  together,  and  once  or  twice  repeated : 

"Oh  the  waitiDg,  the  waiting, 
The  cruel  night  of  waiting, 
When  we  brake  the  bread  of  «orrow  and  drank  our  bitter 
tears." 

"  Mr.  McDonell,"  he  said,  "  it  is  impossible 
to  tell  how  things  may  turn,  but  should  they 
prove  against  us,  give  me  your  word  not  tc 
desert  the  Prince." 

168 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"Your  Royal  Highness,"  I  answered,  "I 
swear  by  my  mother's  soul  I  will  not  leave 
Scotland  while  he  is  in  any  danger,  and  neither 
threat  nor  peril  will  tempt  me  to  be  unfaith- 
ful to  him  in  word  or  thought." 

"  It  is  enough,"  he  said ;  "  I  can  trust  you 
without  the  oath." 

The  next  morning  we  parted  from  him,  em- 
bracing him  like  any  private  gentleman,  as  he 
wished  to  keep  his  incognito  absolute ;  so  he 
took  his  way  into  Flanders,  and  we  to  Dun- 
kirk, there  to  join  some  twenty-five  officers, 
all  volunteers  for  Prince  Charles.  We  found 
our  vessel  ready  for  sea,  and  before  sunset 
were  safely  on  board,  meeting  o'd  friends  and 
making  new  ones. 


It  was  night  by  the  time  we  ran  out  of  the 
harbour,  and  many  an  anxious  hour  we  had  of 
it,  for  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  make  the  run 
from  France  to  Scotland  in  the  year  '46,  when 
every  sail  was  looked  upon  with  suspicion. 

I  need  make  no  apologies  for  our  anxiety 
when  we  were  signalled  to  lay  to  by  the  first 
£nglish  ship  we  met;  and  the  invitation  was 
quickly  followed  by  a  puff  jf  smoke  and  the 

169 


1 1 


n 


■•    111 


•i 


SPANISH    JOHN 

boom  of  a  gun.  A  sense  of  danger  is  largely 
quickened  by  unfamiliarity,  and  though  any 
of  us  would  have  made  little  of  attacking  a 
battery  on  shore,  this  sea  fighting  was  a  new 
and  uncomfortable  outlook.  But  when  ^ye 
saw  what  a  pair  of  heels  our  privateer,  fitly 
named  the  Swallow,  could  show,  we  soon  re- 
covered our  confidence,  and  after  this  it  was 
a  mere  matter  of  speculation  how  long  any- 
thing we  met  could  stand  up  to  us  at  all. 

Our  crew  of  about  fifty  was  a  mixed  lot, 
French  and  Scotch,  but  they  were  thorough  at 
their  business,  and  it  was  curious  to  see  how 
true  the  Captain  could  judge  of  the  exact  room 
he  must  give  to  any  suspicious  sail — it  was  a 
game  of  hare  and  hounds  all  the  time,  for  no 
sooner  were  we  rid  of  one  than  we  would  fall 
in  with  another  to  take  up  the  running ;  but 
none  of  them  served  to  do  more  than  raise 
our  spirits  and  take  our  minds  off  the  discom- 
fort most  landsmen  find  at  sea  We  encoun- 
tered various  weather,  but  the  worst  only 
brought  out  the  sailing  qualities  of  the  Swal- 
low, until  at  length  we  made  the  coast  of 
Scotland,  and  all  eagerly  looked  to  the  end  of 
our  voyage,  which  was  to  be  at  Inverness ;  in- 

170 


SPANISH    JOHN 

deed,  the  Captain  counted  on  making  Crom- 
arty Head  before  night,  and  to  lay  there  till 
the  morning. 

That  day  at  dinner  Father  O'Rourke  gave 
us  another  taste  of  his  song  -  making,  which 
was  greatly  appreciated  on  account  of  the 
reference  to  the  "White  Cockade,"  always 
a  favorite  quickstep  with  the  Jacobite  Regi- 
ments : 

Merrily,  merrily  blows  the  wind  from  off  the  coasts  of 

France ; 
The  Channel  open  wide  before,  God  send  us  now  good 

chance ! 
Gi"e  us  the  green  seas  rolling  free  and  but  way  enough 

to  steer, 
And  we'll  leave  the  swiftest  foe  in  the  wake  of  the 

Swallow  Privateer ! 

Then  here's  to  the  Swallow,  flying  true ! 
And  here's  to  the  Prince  and  his  Bonnets  Blue ! 
And  here's  to  the  heart  of  each  wife  and  maid 
That  is  beating   for   the   Laddie  with   the  White 
Cockade ! 


Drearily,  drearily  sets  the  wind  down  from  the  North- 
ern Seas, 

But  she  dips  to  the  rollers  big  and  black,  and  her  bon- 
Die  breast  she  frees, 

171 


i 


SPANISH    JOHN 

From  her  tapering  mast  she  flies  on  the  blast  her  sig- 
nals fluttering  clear 

To  the  friends  that  pray  for  the  coming  home  of  the 
Swallow  Privateer  f 

Then  liere's  to  the  Sioallow,  flying  true  ! 
And  liere's  to  the  Prince  and  his  Bonnets  Blue  ! 
And  here's  to  the  heart  of  each  wife  and  maid 
That   is   beating   for  the  Laddie  with   the  White 
Cockade I 

Mightily,  mightily  booms  the  wind  out  of  the  setting 

sun; 
We  will  double   the  great  ships  like  a  hare,  we  will 

fight  where  we  cannot  run, 
Till  we  win  to  land,  and  with  sword  in  hand  we  will 

follow  tlje  Chevalier 
Who  will  bless  the  winds  that  filled  the  wings  of  the 

Swallow  Privateer  I 

Then  here's  to  the  Swallow,  flying  true ! 
And  here's  to  the  Prince  and  his  Bonnets  Blue ! 
And  here's  to  the  heart  of  each  wife  and  maid 
That    is  beating   for   the  Laddie  with  the  White 
Cockade ! 

It  was  with  the  highest  expectations  that  we 
looked  forward  to  landing  on  the  morrow  and 
joining  the  Prince,  of  whose  movements  we 
were  in  ignorance,  except  that  we  were  to 
rendezvous  at  Inverness. 

172 


SPANISH    JOHN 


In  the  latter  part  of  the  night  I  was  awak- 
ened by  an  ugly  scream  from  Captain  Lynch, 
one  of  the  officers  of  our  company. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  I  asked,  in  some 
alarm. 

"  I  dreamed  the  Devil  had  hold  of  me  by 
the  heels,  and  about  to  dash  my  brains  out." 

"  Perhaps  the  Devil  is  not  so  very  far  off," 
I  returned  ;  and  then,  being  somewhat  restless, 
part  from  the  heat  and  part  from  our  being 
so  near  our  landing,  I  thought  I  would  take  a 
turn  on  the  deck.  No  sooner  had  my  eyes 
got  accustomed  to  the  light  than,  to  my 
alarm,  I  made  out  the  dim  outline  of  a  great 
ship,  which  must  have  come  up  during  the 
night,  unseen  and  unheard  by  our  sentinels, 
and  was  lying-to  between  us  and  the  entrance 
to  the  bay.  I  at  once  made  my  discovery 
known  to  the  Captain,  who,  coming  hurriedly 
on  deck,  swore  with  a  great  oath  I  had  saved 
their  lives,  for  she  was  no  other  than  an  Eng- 
lish man-of-war  on  the  outlook  for  such  as  we. 
Then,  without  more  ado,  he  slipped  his  anchor, 
got  up  sail  as  quietly  as  possible,  and,  in  a 
fever  of  anxiety,  we  waited  to  see  whether  the 
tide  which  was  setting  on  shore  or  the  light 

173 


!H 


ii      9 


I  '■ 


SPANISH    JOHN 


,1  I 


winds  which  were  moving  would  prove  the 
stronger.  At  length  our  sails  gently  filled  and 
began  to  draw,  so  we  crept  round  under  the 
shadow  of  the  land  until  we  got  the  full  wind, 
and  stood  out  to  sea  with  thankful  hearts  for 
the  danger  we  had  so  narrowly  escaped. 

Great  was  the  surprise  of  my  comrades 
when  aroused  to  find  we  were  again  making 
for  the  open  instead  of  ending  our  voyage; 
but,  as  Father  O'Kourke  said :  "  Captain  Lynch, 
your  patron  saint  evidently  thinks  that  even  a 
little  extra  salt  water  is  better  for  you  than 
the  inside  of  an  English  prison.  The  truth  is 
that  Irishmen  are  such  favourites  that  even 
the  Devil  himself  will  do  them  a  good  turn  at 
times." 

Though  I  thought  to  myself  there  were 
others  fully  as  deserving  as  the  Irish,  I  said 
nothing. 

As  our  intended  landing  was  now  impossi- 
ble, our  Captain  determined  to  stand  round 
the  Orkneys  for  Loch  Broom,  in  Cromarty,  on 
the  West  coast. 

We  had  an  easy  run,  and  as  soon  as  we 
were  signalled  from  the  shore,  and  on  lying- 

174 


M 


SPANISH    JOHN 


we 
ring- 


to,  a  boat  was  put  out.  In  the  stern  there 
were  seated  two  gentlemen,  one  of  whom,  the 
Captain  informed  me,  was  a  McKenzie,  and  in 
the  other  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  only  too 
soon  recognized  Creach. 

"This  means  trouble  of  some  sort,"  I  re- 
marked; "we  would  never  find  him  so  far 
afield  if  things  were  going  right." 

"  I  fear  it,  too,"  he  answered,  and  before 
long  our  worst  apprehensions  were  realized. 

We  withdrew  at  once  to  the  cabin  where  I 
met  Creach,  or  Graeme,  as  he  still  called  him- 
self, without  remark,  for  I  recalled  my  word 
to  the  Duke  and  felt  there  was  something  too 
weighty  on  hand  for  even  the  remembrance 
of  a  personal  quarrel.  In  a  few  moments  we 
heard,  to  our  dismay,  that  Culloden  had  been 
fought  and  lost  the  very  day  we  had  sailed 
from  Dunkirk ;  that  the  clans  were  scattered 
and  no  one  knew  what  had  become  of  the 
Prince. 

After  the  dreadful  news  had  been  given 
time  to  sink  into  our  benumbed  senses,  I 
asked  for  personal  friends,  and  heard,  to  my 
sorrow,  from  McKenzie,  that  my  Uncle  Scot- 
tos,  who  had  been  among  the  very  first  to 

175 


SPANISH   JOHN 

join  the  Prince,  and  was  much  esteemed  by 
him,  had  died  like  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman 
in  his  service  in  the  first  charge  at  CuUoden. 

When  the  body  of  his  clan  refused  to  an- 
swer the  signal  to  charge,  and  stood  still  and 
dumb  under  the  insult  which  had  been  put 
upon  them  in  placing  them  in  the  left  instead 
of  the  right  wing,  he  cursed  and  swore  like 
one  possessed,  as  did  others.  But  finding  it  of 
no  avail,  he  changed  of  a  sudden,  and,  turn- 
ing to  his  own  men,  threw  his  bonnet  on  the 
ground,  crying  to  them,  with  tears  in  his 
words :  "  Let  them  go !  But  my  own  chil- 
dren will  never  return  to  say  they  saw  me  go 
to  my  death  alone !"  and  with  that  he  charged, 
every  one  of  his  own  following  him.  It  was 
fine,  but  of  no  effect,  for  the  English  swept 
them  off  the  face  of  the  earth  by  a  point- 
blank  fire  before  ever  steel  met  steel.  He 
was  picked  up  and  carried  off  by  two  of  his 
men ;  but  finding  the  pursuit  grow  too  hot,  he 
called  a  halt. 

"  Put  me  down  here !"  he  said,  and  quickly 

taking  off  his  dirk,  sporran,  and   watch,  he 

sent  them  to  his  son  with  the  message  that 

his  end  had  come  as  he  had  always  wished, 

176 


WILL  NEVER  RETURN  TO  SAY  THEY  SAW  ME  GO  TO  MY  DEATH 

ALONE ' " 


'W'l 


li  I 


!l ! 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"Sword  in  hand  and  face  to  the  foe,"  and 
bade  them  leave  him. 

And  so  died  one  of  the  gallantest  gentlemen, 
and  probably  the  best  swordsman  in  all  Scot- 
land. 


I 


Besides,  I  lost  many  other  of  my  friends 
and  kinsmen,  as  I  afterwards  learned ;  but 
this  was  no  time  for  private  mournings,  and  I 
turned  at  once  to  the  business  in  hand.  My 
comrades  decided  there  was  nothing  to  do 
but  return,  and  proposed  our  action  should  be 
unanimous. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  I,  "  in  the  face  of  such 
tidings  as  we  have  received,  no  one  can  doubt 
but  your  resolve  is  justified,  and  had  I  simply 
volunteered  for  military  service,  as  you  have 
done,  I  would  not  hesitate  to  give  my  voice 
to  your  decision,  which  I  hold  to  be  honoura- 
ble in  every  way.  But  I  am  charged  with 
private  despatches  and  other  matters  for  the 
Prince  by  the  Duke  of  York,  and  I  am  not 
free  until  I  have  at  least  attempted  to  carry 
out  my  mission,  for  which  I  know  I  have  your 
good  wishes,  and  so  must  go  on  alone." 

"Not  alone,  my  son,"  broke  out  Father 
M  177  '     . 


i'  I 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

O'Kourke,  and  stretched  out  his  big  hand  to 
me  across  the  table.  "  I  am  curious,  gentle- 
men, to  see  Scotland,  and  am  sure  I  cannot  do 
so  better  than  in  company  with  our  friend 
here." 

"But,  sir,  how  can  you  expect  to  travel 
about  here  in  your  cassock  ?  You  would  only 
have  to  meet  the  first  loyal  man  to  be  arrest- 
ed," objected  Creach,  the  first  time  he  had 
spoken  to  either  of  us. 

"  Thank  you  for  your  suggestion,  sir,  though 
doubtless  the  word  '  loyal '  was  a  bit  of  a  slip 
on  your  part.  I  am  too  well  accustomed  to 
meeting  blackguards  of  every  description  to 
fear  even  a  '  loyal '  man !"  Whereupon  every 
one  looked  at  him  in  surprise  to  hear  him  so 
address  Creach,  who,  however,  thotight  well 
to  make  no  reply ;  and  shortly  after  our  con- 
ference broke  up,  Creach  returning  to  shore, 
whilst  Mr.  McKenzie  remained  with  us  until 
we  had  formed  some  plan. 


Father  O'Rourke  arranged  with  Captain 
Lynch,  who  had  volunteered  from  the  Hun- 
garian service,  and  was  near  as  big  a  man 
as  himself,  that  he  should  provide  him  with  a 

178 


SPANISH    JOHN 

spare  uniform,  and,  when  once  arrayed,  he 
presented  so  fine  an  appearance  that  we,  one 
and  all,  made  him  our  compliments  upon  it. 

"Captain  Lynch,"  said  he,  at  dinner,  "I 
have  another  favour  to  ask  before  we  part, 
and  that  is  for  the  loan  of  your  name  while  I 
am  playing  at  this  masquerade.  I  know  it  is 
a  ticklish  thing  to  ask,  this  loaning  of  names, 
but  as  I  have  always  been  particular  of  my 
own,  I  can  promise  you  I  know  how  to  care 
for  yours." 

"  Faith,  you  can  have  it,  and  welcome,  pro- 
vided you  are  careful  not  to  mislay  it,  for  'tis 
the  only  bit  of  property  my  poor  father  ever 
left  me,"  replied  the  Captain,  with  great  good- 
nature. 

"  Never  fear,  you'll  have  it  back  safe  and 
sound.  I'll  make  good  kitchen  of  it,  so  it 
won't  be  worn  out,  and  if  they  hang  me,  I'll 
take  care  they'll  do  so  under  all  my  true  name 
and  title." 


Seeing  that  Father  O'Rourke  approved,  I 
determined  that  half  the  sum  I  carried  was 
quite  enough  to  risk,  so  I  did  up  one  thousand 
guineas  in  one  bag,  five  hundred  in  another, 

179 


SPANISH    JOHN 

and  confided  the  remaining  fifteen  hundred  to 
Captain  Lynch  to  return  to  the  Duke,  togeth- 
er with  a  letter  explaining  our  intentions,  and 
with  farewells  all  around,  followed  b}^  many  a 
good  wish  from  our  comrades,  Father  O'Rourke 
and  I  clambered  down  the  side,  followed  by 
Mr.  McKenzie,  and  were  rowed  ashore.  We 
gave  the  boat's  crew  something,  and  waving  a 
farewell  to  those  on  ship-board,  picked  up  our 
portmanteaus  and  struck  inland. 


VT 


ilow  we  supped  with  a  thief,  aad  the  outcome  thereof. 


There  were  one  or  two  ragged  creatures 
near  by  watching  us  as  we  landed,  but  though 
W9  shouted  to  them  and  made  signs,  they  not 
only  refused  to  come  to  our  aid,  but  made  off 
amongst  the  rocks  as  we  advanced. 

"Well,  Giovannini,  is  your  heart  bursting 
with  pride  over  your  country  and  country- 
men ?"  asked  Father  O'Rourke,  in  Italian,  as 
we  struggled  and  panted  with  our  loads  over 
the  rough  track  up  the  hillside  under  the  hot 
spring  sun. 

"  Indeed,  this  is  none  of  my  country,  thank 
God !  This  only  belongs  to  the  McKenzies," 
said  I,  ashamed  somewhat  of  the  reception  we 
had  met. 

"  Oh,  indeed  I  and  to  what  particular  tribe 
of  cattle  do  they  belong?"  he  asked. 

I  stopped  short  in  mv  way  and  dropped  my 

181 


'■'i 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 


!«  !ll 


I    : 


!  ll 


li  .: 


portmanteau,  determined  to  put  an  end  to  his 
nonsense  at  once. 

"  Now,  Father  O'Kourke — "  I  began,  but  he 
interrupted  me  with : 

"  Captain  Lynch,  if  you  please,  Mr.  McDonell, 
and  your  superior,  remember,  as  regards  rank !" 
drawing  himself  up  to  his  full  height.  He 
looked  so  droll  standing  there  in  his  fine  uni- 
form, with  his  sword  and  cocked  hat  and  bag 
wig  quite  a  la  mode  de  Paris,  that  I  could  not 
help  bursting  out  laughing. 

He  waited  until  I  was  done,  and  then  said, 
very  gravely,  "  Well,  'pon  my  word !  but  I'm 
I'ejoiced  that  I've  found  my  way  to  your  fun- 
ny-bone at  last.  But  if  the  sight  of  a  fist  like 
this  and  a  foot  like  that  are  the  only  ap- 
proaches to  a  Highlander's  sense  of  humour — 
and  I  am  bound  to  apply  the  back  of  the  one 
and  the  toe  of  the  other  whenever  I  am  forced 
to  a  jest — I  take  it,  my  better  part  is  to  make 
poor  Captain  Lynch  a  sad  dog  like  your- 
self." 

"  Mr.  McKenzie,"  he  ran  on,  addressing  our 
guide,  who,  it  was  plain  to  see,  was  much 
puzzled  at  our  behaviour,  "are  you  much 
given  to  humour  in  these  parts  ?" 

1«3 


STANISU    JOHN 


"  No  sir,"  he  answered,  "  none  that  I  ever 
heard  of." 

"  Then  why  in  the  name  of  the  Isle  of  Man 
did  you  take  up  with  that  creature  you  brought 
on  board  ship  ?" 

Seeing  the  poor  man  was  bewildered,  I  ex- 
plained that  his  companion,  Mr.  Graeme,  was 
meant. 

"Och,  him  —  he  would  just  be  coming  to 
Colin  Dearg  with  the  others  after  the  battle." 

"  Is  that  old  Colin  Dearg,  Laggy  ?"  I  asked. 

"  None  other,"  he  answered ;  "  and  it  is  to 
him,  very  probable,  that  Ardloch  will  be  send- 
ing you." 

Ardloch,  I  explained  to  Father  O'Rourke, 
was  a  Mr.  McKenzie,  to  whose  place  we  were 
bound,  and  Colin  Dearg,  or  Red  Colin,  anoth- 
er, both  staunch  Jacobites. 

"  Well,  well,  'tis  a  puzzlesome  country  this, 
where  the  men  not  only  do  without  breeches, 
but  throw  off  as  well  the  names  their  fathers 
gave  them ;  had  I  known  more,  I  needn't 
have  used  such  punctilio  in  borrowing  the 
Captain's.  Would  not  O'Rourke  of  Bref  ni,  or 
just  Brefni,  tout  court,  have  a  grand  sound ; 
seeing  it  wouldn't  be  decent  for  me  to  go  in 

183 


ii 


iii 


St    »! 


-<r 


1     1 


I  i 


>i     li.i'l 


i  ! 


I- 


i  i 


W' 


SPANISH    JOHN 

petticoats,  and  I  am  anxious  to  make  a  good 
impression  V 

But  I  would  not  answer  him,  for  I  could 
see  he  was  in  one  of  his  most  provoking  hu- 
mours; so  I  shouldered  my  portmanteau  and 
trudged  on,  and  he  was  forced  to  follow. 

He  was  not  abashed,  however,  and  tried  to 
draw  out  McKenzie ;  but  the  latter  was  shame- 
faced and  could  hardly  answer  to  his  follies,  so 
I  had  to  beg  him  to  desist,  as  the  poor  man 
could  not  understand  his  funning. 

"  I  don't  find  him  different  from  the  rest  of 
his  countrymen,"  he  returned;  but  I  would 
not  answer. 

Ardloch  received  us  warmly,  and  gave  us  a 
hearty  meal,  with  good  whiskey  to  follow,  and 
then  proposed  we  should  hire  a  boat— leaving 
McKenzie  behind,  as  it  was  better  Father 
O'Rourke's  transformation  should  not  be 
talked  over — and  go  up  Little  Loch  Broom  to 
Laggy,  where  we  would  find  a  number  of  of- 
ficers, fi'esh  from  the  Prince,  who  might  give 
us  some  directions  where  to  look. 

"  Do  you  look  upon  everything  as  lost  ?"  I 
asked  him,  at  parting. 

1S4 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  That  depends  on  what  you  mean  by  '  ev- 
erything,'" he  answered,  slowly.  "If  you 
mean  any  attempt  to  bring  the  rebellion  to 
life  again  now,  I  would  say  yes.  But  if  you 
mean  to  keep  the  fire  alive,  then  no.  The 
clans  cannot  all  be  scattered  as  yet,  for  noth- 
ing  goes  to  pieces  in  that  way,  and  I  doubt 
not  but  there  will  be  some  for  making  a 
stand  in  spite  of  all.  But  money  must  be  had 
to  keep  them  together.  They  have  been  out 
since  August  last,  and  no  Highlander  will 
stay  away  from  home  long,  even  for  fighting. 
'Tis  against  all  custom.  What  plunder  they 
got  is  long  since  gone,  and  they  will  be  weary- 
ing for  home.  For  home!  God  help  them, 
many  will  never  see  it  again!  But  money, 
Mr.  McDonell — if  money  can  be  had,  men  can 
be  had  too,  and  the  Prince  can,  at  the  worst, 
be  safely  covered  until  the  time  opens  for  es- 
cape." 

Then  my  heart  rose  within  me  for  the  first 
time,  for  in  my  hands  lay  the  possible  means 
of  safety  for  the  Hope  of  all  loyal  hearts. 


i 


i  : 


(:' 


I  a 


We  at  once  proceeded,  and  before  nightfall 
reached  Laggy,  where  we  were  met  by  old  Co- 

185 


! 


« 


i 


I 


a. 


?i 


i  i. 


SPANISH    JOHN 

lin  Dearg,  a  burly,  bearded  ruffian  with  a  great 
shock  of  red  hair,  Big  William  McKenzie  of 
Killcoy,  a  major,  and  Murdock  McKenzie,  a 
lieutenant  in  the  Earl  of  Cromarty's  Regi- 
ment, with  about  sixty  men,  and  thought  our- 
selves as  safe  as  in  the  heart  of  France. 

We  learned  that  some  were  still  in  arms 
for  Prince  Charles,  especially  the  regiment 
of  Glengarry,  in  which  were  my  kinsmen  and 
friends,  and  that  of  Cameron  of  Lochiel.  So 
Vie  begged  for  an  early  supper,  and  engaged 
guides  and  a  horse  that  we  might  set  out  at 
once  to  join  them. 

Our  baggage  and  little  stores  we  had  carried 
up  from  the  beach,  but  I  was  much  annoyed 
at  hearing  one  of  the  men,  on  lifting  my  port- 
manteau, remark  it  was  ''  damned  heavy." 

"Do  you  think  we  are  such  fools  as  to 
travel  without  powder  and  ball  in  time  of 
war?"  said  I,  and  hoped  it  had  passed  unno- 
ticed; but  the  fellow  threw  it  down  outside 
the  house  door,  saying  lead  would  not  suffer 
for  a  little  fresh  air,  at  which  old  Colin  Dearg 
laughed,  and  said : 

"No  doubt  such  gentlemen  will  have  their, 
ruffles  there.   I  will  carry  it  in  myself." 

186 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  Don't  think  of  it,"  said  I,  much  put  out, 
and,  raising  it,  I  placed  it  in  a  corner  of  the 
room  where  I  could  easily  keep  my  eye  on  it, 
and  wished  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  we 
could  set  off. 

Old  Colin  Dearg  was  most  offensive,  al- 
though pretending  to  an  extreme  courtesy. 
He  disclaimed  having  seen  Creach,  or  Graeme, 
since  the  day  before,  but  we  were  certain  this 
was  a  blind,  as  we  could  see  he  knew  who  the 
supposed  Captain  Lynch  was,  and  kept  push- 
ing him  with  questions  about  the  Imperial 
service,  until  I  feared  for  the  latter's  temper. 
But  nothing  could  move  Father  O'Rourke 
when  he  had  not  a  mind  to  it,  and  he  rattled 
on  as  though  he  noticed  nothing. 

The  old  man  pretended  to  rate  the  women 
who  were  preparing  our  supper,  but  I  knew 
well  it  was  all  a  pretext,  though  why  he  was 
anxious  to  keep  us  I  could  not  make  out.  At 
length,  when  he  could  delay  no  longer,  we 
sate  down  in  a  great  room,  but,  to  my  dislike, 
in  total  darkness,  save  for  the  little  blaze  on 
the  hearth  and  what  light  could  reach  us 
through  the  open  door.  This  was  bad  enough ; 
but  on  sitting  down  with  the  officers,  and  a 

187 


I 


i 


tii    ..  3  .f 


ii  I 

i 


m 


ir 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Mr.  Gordon,  who  was  to  be  of  our  company, 
the  room  was  speedily  filled  with  the  riff-raff 
of  men  idling  about,  who  took  their  places 
behind  us. 

Colin  Dearg  would  not  sit  down  with  us, 
but  pretended  to  busy  himself  bustling  about 
and  shouting  out  orders  to  the  women  and 
encouragements  to  us  to  eat  heartily  of  his 
fare,  which  he  called  by  all  the  wretched 
names  in  the  world,  though  it  was  good 
enough.  I  was  most  uneasy,  but  Father 
O'Rourke  held  the  company  with  his  .talk, 
while  I  quietly  assured  myself  that  my  port- 
manteau was  safe,  though  1  chafed  sadly  at 
the  precious  time  we  were  wasting.  At 
length  I  put  ceremony  aside  and  insisted  we 
must  be  off;  whereupon  we  drank  a  single 
glass  from  our  slore  to  Prince  Charles's  health 
and  better  fortunes,  and  I  rose  from  the  table 
and  went  to  the  corner  where  I  had  left  my 
portmanteau,  and  my  heart  almost  leaped  into 
my  mouth  when  I  saw  it  was  gone ;  but  at  the 
same  time,  old  Colin  said,  behind  me,  "  Never 
fear,  McDonell!  You'll  lose  nothing  here; 
I  have  fastened  your  things  on  the  pony  my- 
self." 

188 


SPANISH    JOIIX 


us. 


So  out  we  went  into  the  starlight,  and 
there  found  the  pony  lotided  with  our  belong- 
ings, and  witii  short  fnrew<'lls  set  off  with 
Mr.  Gordon  and  our  guides  on  our  night 
march. 


We  could  not  speak  of  our  feelings  before 
Mr.  Gordon,  but  I  knew  Father  O'Rourke 
had  enjoyed  our  entertainment  as  little  as 
myself ;  so  all  night  long  we  tramped,  gath- 
ering such  news  as  we  might  from  our  com- 
panions of  the  battle,  which  was  vague  but  dis- 
heartening enough.  At  daybreak  we  arrived 
at  a  very  considerable  house — indeed,  a  gentle- 
man's seat — ^vhich  Mr.  Gordon  informed  us 
was  that  of  McKenzie  of  Dundonald,  to  whom 
we  were  recommended  by  old  Colin  Dearg,  who 
was  his  uncle.  Dundonald  was  at  Inverness, 
whither  he  had  gone  that  he  might  not  be 
suspected  of  favoring  the  Prince's  cause,  but 
his  lady  was  at  home. 

We  led  our  pony  into  the  court -yard,  and 
there  unloaded  him,  where  Mr.  Gordon  de- 
clared he  could  accompany  us  no  farther,  his 
shoes  being  worn  out. 

"  Very  well,"  said  I,  "  after  we  have  a  nap 

189 


.    I 

'  11' 
If. 


f 

I 


SPAXtSH    JOHN 


I;  d 


li  u 


I  will  provide  you  with  a  second  pair  I  have 
in  my  portmanteau." 

But  no;  he  would  have  them  now,  so  he 
might  try  them  on,  and,  accordingly,  to  hu- 
mour him,  I  undid  the  upper  straps  of  my  port- 
manteau. Scarcely  had  I  done  so  than  I  saw 
the  leather  had  been  slit. 

My  cry  of  dismay  brought  Father  O'Rourke 
and  Mr.  Gordon  over  me  at  once,  and  with 
shaking  hands  I  undid  the  straps  and  threw  it 
open.  The  larger  canvas-bag,  which  held  the 
thousand  guineas,  was  gone ! 

"O  God  in  Heaven,"  I  groaned,  sinking 
on  the  ground,  "  that  there  are  such  damned 
scoundrels  in  this  world!"  And  for  the  first 
time  since  a  child  I  could  not  restrain  myself, 
and  burst  into  tears. 

Father  O'Rourke  turned  over  the  things, 
but  I  knew  it  was  useless,  and  then  said,  in 
the  strangest,  dryest  kind  of  voice : 

"  Well,  I  call  on  you  to  witness  this  hap- 
pened in  Scotland,  and  in  the  Highlands." 

"Stop,  sir,"  I 'cried;  "this  is  intolerable! 
None  of  your  insulting  reflections  on  coun- 
tries. There  are  more  rogues  hanged  in  Ire- 
land than  ever  existed  in  Scotland." 

190 


SPANISH    JOHX 


"  Yes,  we  find  the  quickest  end  to  put  th^ra 
to  is  a  rope's  end." 

"  Look  you  here,  sir,  \'ou  have  done  noth- 
ing but  insult  me  from  the  day  you  met  me, 
and  had  you  any  right  to  the  sword  you  car- 
ry, I  would  read  3^ou  a  lesson  that  would  last 
you  to  the  end  of  your  life !" 

"Thankful  am  I,"  he  returned,  as  cool  as 
ever,  "that  I  never  was  under  such  a  school- 
master. But  let  us  spare  our  iron  for  those 
scoundrels,  and  especially  for  that  smooth- 
tongued, red  -  headed,  black  -  hearted  Colin 
Dearg.  If  I  could  only  have  my  left  hand 
comfortable  on  his  dirty  throttle,  I  wouldn't 
need  the  other  to  feel  his  pulse  with.  Cheer 
up,  Giovannini !  If  we've  any  luck  we'll  have 
it  safely  back,  and  you'll  hand  it  to  the  Prince 
yet.  Courage,  my  lad  I  Surely  old  campaign- 
ers like  you  and  me  are  not  to  be  outfaced  by 
a  lot  of  sneaking  blackguards  like  these !" 

"I'll  lay  my  soul,"  I  said,  slowly,  having 
forgotten  all  my  rage  —  and  I  believe  now 
Father  O'Rourke  only  provoked  me  to  dis- 
tract my  attention  from  my  trouble — "  I'll  lay 
my  soul  that  scoundrel  Creach  is  at  the  bot- 
tom of  this  I" 

191 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"Like  enough,"  he  answered,  'for  he  had 
been  back,  though  that  smooth  tongued  fox 
denied  it.  And  what's  more,  Giovannini,  I'd 
be  curious  to  know  if  the  Prince  ever  re- 
ceived the  raone}^  lie  earned.     J  doubt  it." 

"So  do  T;  but  let  us  get  back.  First, 
though,  I  must  put  the  rest  of  our  money  in 
safety.     I  must  see  Lady  Dundonald." 

"Faith,  I  don't  suppose  her  ladyship  is 
thinking  of  stirring  for  hours  yet." 

"  Never  mind,  she  must  stir  this  time,  for 
I  cannot  stand  on  ceremony." 


So  I  sent  a  message  to  her  chamber,  with 
Captain  McDonell's  compliments  —  my  rank 
as  Lieutenant  commanding  my  late  Company 
entitled  me  to  claim  the  title  —  and  saying 
that  he  must  instantly  have  speech  with  her. 

She  very  civilly  returned  that  I  might  use 
the  freedom  I  asked;  upon  which  I  went  to 
her  bedroom,  where  I  found  her  maid  in  at- 
tendance. 

"  Madam,  only  the  distressing  circumstances 
in  which  I  am  placed  will  excuse  my  intru- 
sion, for  which  I  offer  my  apologies."  There- 
upon I  told  the  circumstances  of  the  robbery. 

192 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  I  return  at  once  with  my  comrade,  Captain 
Lynch,  and,  please  God,  will  recover  the  mon- 
ey ;  but  I  am  quite  aware,  if  circumstances  so 
fall  out,  these  rascals  will  not  hesitate  to  add 
murder  to  robbery.  Therefore,  madam,  I 
place  these  five  hundred  guineas  in  your  hon- 
ourable keeping.  If  I  am  killed,  I  bequeath 
them  to  you  to  be  handed  on  to  One  you 
know  of" — not  caring  to  be  more  particular, 
for  in  such  times  "  least  said  is  soonest  mend- 
ed'-—  "if  not,  I  will  return  to  claim  them. 
The  onlv  satisfaction  I  have  is  that  we  dis- 
covered  the  theft  on  arriving  at  your  house, 
for  I  must  certainly  have  blamed  your  people 
and  not  those  passing  under  the  denomination 
of  officers  and  gentlemen.  Madam,  may  God 
be  with  you,  and  I  wish  you  a  good-morning." 
So  I  bowed  myself  out  of  the  room,  hand- 
ing the  gold  to  the  maid. 


::: 


I  found  our  guides  refused  to  return,  and 
evidently  Mr.  Gordon  had  no  stomach  for  the 
business,  though  he  was  clearly  innocent. 
However,  we  offered  so  high  a  figure  that  at 
length  one  volunteered,  and,  wearied  though 
we  were,  we  set  out. 
N  198 


' 


s    i 


w 


ii'i. 


11 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"We  wasted  neither  time  nor  words  by  the 
way,  until  we  came  in  sight  of  Laggy,  when 
we  called  a  council  of  war. 

"  My  advice  is  to  send  the  man  in,  call  out 
the  officers — particularly  Colin  Dearg,  whom 
I  would  shoot  on  sight — and  then  make  in- 
quiries," said  Father  O'Kourke. 

"  You're  learning  the  ways  of  the  country 
quickly,"  I  said,  with  some  raillery.  "No; 
we'll  tax  Colin  Dearg  with  the  theft,  and  pre- 
tend we  do  not  suspect  the  others  in  the  least, 
and  so  can  urge  them  to  use  their  influence 
with  him  to  return  the  money.  Much  may 
be  done  by  an  appeal  to  their  honour,  if  they 
think  we  don't  suspect  them." 

"Then  they've  the  finest  sense  of  honour 
for  a  lot  of  truculent  cowards  I  ever  met 
with,"  he  answered. 

"Now  there  you  are  mistaken.  Father 
O'Rourke;  a  Highlander  may  be  truculent, 
but  he  is  not  of  nu<;3ssity  a  coward,  and  it  is 
rarely  that  his  sense  of  honour  entirely  de- 
serts him." 

"  Not  even  when  he  is  a  thief  ?" 

"No,  not  even  then  —  if  you  know  how 

to  take  him.    And  besides  this,  remember,  if 

194 


SPANISH    JOHN 


ray  people  are  still  in  arms,  we  will  have  that 
money  wherever  they  have  stored  it,  and  a 
vengeance  on  every  McKenzie  in  the  country. 
As  it  is,  no  one  knows  of  my  return  as  yet, 
and  if  we  are  killed  these  scoundrels  have  onl}*^ 
to  produce  the  letters  which  they  will  find 
on  me  from  the  Duke  of  York,  and  not  only 
escape  all  punishment,  but  probably  claim  a 
reward  as  well." 

"  Well,  well,  I  agree.  You  know  the  breed 
better  than  I,"  he  said  ;  and  so  we  came  out  in 
front  of  the  house  and  sent  our  man  in  with 
word  to  Colin  Dearg  and  the  officers  that  we 
would  speak  with  them. 


m 


>\ly 


W 


)W 

if 


With  a  little  delay  they  appeared,  and  after 
them  trooped  out  about  thirty  men,  all  armed. 

"  The  top  of  the  morning  to  you,  gentle- 
men !  What  service  can  I  and  my  poor  house 
render  you  ?"  sneered  that  old  scoundrel,  Colin 
Dearg. 

We  saluted  the  officers,  but  took  no  notice 
of  him  or  his  woi'ds,  and  I  addressed  myself 
to  them. 

"Gentlemen,  I  have  been  robbed  of  one 

thousand  guineas  as  we  supped  with  you  in 

195 


SPANISH  JOHN 

this  house.  Were  it  a  trifle  of  money  of  my 
own,  I  would  rather  lose  it  than  bring  any 
honourable  man  under  so  vile  an  imputation, 
but  I  was  entrusted  with  the  money  for 
Prince  Charles,  God  bless  him!  and  I  know  I 
i...;    -eiy  on  your  aid  in  its  recovery." 

There  was  not  a  move,  and  I  looked  at 
each  face  in  vain  for  some  response,  but  they 
oD^v  ;i; 'owered  at  me  as  if  I  had  never  spo- 
kcii.  .';i'in  throwing  all  pretence  aside,  I 
wei.:  OK. : 

"  Do  I  Ht  '?  ''c  urge  that  with  this  money 
men  caa  h\  1   trgether,  who   will  other- 

wise scatter,  if  not  for  safety,  at  least  to  pro- 
vide for  families  helpless  and  alone?  That 
this  money  wiii  keep  them  at  their  posts? 
That  each  guinea  of  it  may  mean  a  drop  of  the 
Prince's  blood?  And  that  the  man  who  has 
robbed  me  of  it  to-day  may  be  as  guilty  of 
murder  before  his  God  as  if  he  had  pistolled 
the  Prince  with  his  very  hand  ?  Gentlemen ! 
Gentlemen !  I  would  not  plead  for  myself ! 
I  plead  for  One  who  has  the  highest  claims 
over  us  all  that  one  man  can  have  over  anoth- 
er. I  ask  your  help  in  the  name  of  God's 
anointed  King,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Prince, 

196 


ll 


'4  ' 


'■  ?.■ 


■i: 


:;  m 


4i 


'If 


PINE   words!     BUAVE   WOKDS  !'  HE   bnekued" 


1    nJ 


i  ■\ 


SPANISH    JOHN 


his  son !"  And  there  I  stopped,  for  I  had  no 
other  words  in  my  heart. 

Old  Colin  Dearg  immediately  broke  into 
loud  lamentations:  his  house  was  disgraced 
forever;  he  would  never  lift  up  his  head  again ; 
never  had  such  a  thing  happened  to  a  McKen- 
zie ;  and  it  was  a  black  day  that  ever  brought 
such  a  tale  to  his  old  ears,  and  so  on.  He  would 
search  the  house  till  not  a  stone  remained 
standing;  he  would  strip  his  people  of  their 
skin,  if  need  be,  rather  than  such  an  imputa- 
tion should  lie  against  his  honour,  and  that  of 
his  name;  and  forthwith  disappeared  among 
his  people,  pretending  to  search  and  question 
them. 

We  allowed  this  empty  work  to  go  on,  until 
he  sav^  fit  to  return  with  word  that  the  money 
could  not  be  found. 

"  No,  it  cannot  be  found,  you  lying,  red- 
headed, old  scoundrel,"  said  I,  "  because  you 
think  yourself  safe  now !  But  you  keep  it  at 
your  peril !  for  a  day  will  come  when  you 
will  wish  your  thieving  fingers  were  burned 
to  the  bone  before  they  touched  the  Prince's 
gold,  you  double-dyed  traitor !" 

"Fine  words!    Brave  words!"  he  sneered, 

197 


,' 


ill 


h 


I  ■ 


i 


■I] 


«; 


SPANISH    JOHN 

planting  himself  well  in  front  of  his  following, 
with  arms  a-kimbo.  "  A  likely  story  that  the 
likes  of  you,  two  broken  men,  skulking  over 
here  from  France  with  baggages  loaded  with 
stones,  trying  your  foreign  thieves'  tricks 
with  quiet  gentlemen,  should  have  a  thousand 
guineas !  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it !"  And 
thereon  he  turned  off  into  the  house  with  a 
good  show  of  carelessness,  no  doubt  thinking 
it  unwise  to  trust  our  patience  any  further. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Big  William  Kill- 
coy,  "  the  country  is  unsafe,  and  you  are  far 
from  home,  but  your  road  is  open  before 
you !" 

"  The  game  is  up,"  I  said  to  Father  O'Kourke, 
in  Italian,  "  we  had  better  beat  a  retreat," 
which  we  did  with  sore  hearts  but  in  good  or- 
der ;  and  they  said  not  a  word  further,  nor  did 
they  attempt  to  molest  us  as  we  once  more 
plodded  the  bitter  miles  that  lay  between  us 
and  Dundonald. 


VII 


>  >     i  •■ 


•1 


i^ 


How  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  fell  in  with  broken  men 
and  saw  the  end  of  a  Lost  Cause. 

The  morning  broke  into  as  fine  and  merry  a 
day  as  ever  smiled  on  two  miserable  hearts ; 
my  own  seemed  dead  in  its  utter  brokenness. 
Besides  this,  we  were  so  wearied  with' our 
long  exertions  that  walking  had  become  a 
pain.  "What  will  the  Duke  think?  What 
will  the  Duke  think  ?"  ran  through  my  head 
without  ceasing,  for  I  could  find  no  answer. 
But  the  worst  of  things  must  end  at  length, 
and  we  arrived  at  Dundonald. 

Here  we  were  welcomed  by  a  hearty  break- 
fast, and  after  asking  for  men  who  could  be 
trusted,  we  posted  two  of  them  as  sentries 
under  Mr.  Gordon,  for  we  could  not  feel  our 
lives  were  safe  while  in  the  McKenzie  coun- 
try ;  then  throwing  ourselves  on  a  bed,  dressed 
and  armed  as  we  were,  we  slept  for  some 
hours  without  moving. 

199 


t 

i, 


'i  i- 


\l 


i\t\ 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

When  we  awoke  somewhat  refreshed,  we 
were  able,  through  the  kindness  of  Lady  Dun- 
donald,  to  procure  guides  on  whose  faithful- 
ness she  assured  us  we  might  rely.  She  fur- 
ther advised  us  to  make  our  way  to  Loch  Air- 
kaig,  in  Lochiel's  country,  "  for  there  you  will 
find  those  you  seek,  though  I  am  not  supposed 
to  know  such  things,  and  still  less  to  be  har- 
bouring the  Prince's  men  in  Dundonald's  ab- 
sence," she  said,  smiling. 

"Madam,"  said  Father  O'Kourke,  "you  have 
only  done  an  act  of  Christian  charity  of 
which  your  own  good  heart  must  approve,  and 
which  has  done  much  to  comfort  us  in  our 
own  hard  case.  We  have  a  right  to  look  for 
kindness  in  woman,  but  we  do  not  always 
look  for  sensibility  such  as  you  have  evinced." 

"  Captain  Lynch,  you  make  me  ashamed  of 
my  poor  efforts,  and  I  pray  you  and  Captain 
McDonell  to  receive  them  as  some  token  of 
my  regret  this  thing  should  have  happened 
among  my  own  people." 

"  Madam,"  said  I,  "  you  cannot  be  held  re- 
sponsible for  being  a  McKenzie." 

"  No  more  than  you  for  being  a  dundering 
blockhead,"  said    Father    O'Kourke,  rudely. 

200 


r-) 


SPANISH    JOIIX 

'*  That  is  merely  his  way  of  saying,  madam," 
he  continued,  with  a  bow,  "that  your  kind- 
ness to  us  will  place  you  in  our  minds  above 
all  other  women,  whatever  name  they  may 
ornament." 

So  thereupon  I  left  the  compliments  to  him, 
as  I  never  made  any  pretence  to  skill  in  the 
art,  and  proceeded  to  get  our  baggage  in 
order. 

I  received  the  bag  of  guineas  again  into  my 
charge,  and  taking  a  respectful  leave  of  this 
most  amiable  lady,  we  set  forth. 

We  had  no  cause  to  complain  of  our  guides, 
who  were  faithful  and  intellif-'ent,  and  led  us 
almost  due  south  over  wild  and  almost  inac- 
cessible mountains,  for  all  the  roads  and  even 
open  places  had  to  be  avoided  on  account  of 
parties  of  the  English  who  were  scouring  the 
country  in  all  directions ;  and,  to  our  impa- 
tience, we  wasted  many  days  lying  close  when 
the  danger  was  too  pressing,  so  that  we  were 
nearly  three  weeks  in  making  the  journey. 

At  last  we  drew  near  to  Loch  Airkaig,  and 
from  where  we  looked  down  I  saw  a  body  of 
Highland  troops.    We  came  forward  without 

301 


i  it' 


i! 


u 


H.' 


t 


f 

s 

I 

i- 


ii 


I 


f  1^ 


9 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

hesitation,  and,  on  answering  their  sentries  in 
Gaelic,  which  had  come  back  to  me  readily 
enough  after  a  little  practice,  1  satisfied  them 
of  our  intents  and  they  allowed  us  to  approach. 

"  Whose  command  are  you  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Young  Coll  Barisdale,"  was  the  answer. 

"  We  are  in  luck ;  come  on,"  I  cried,  "  these 
are  my  own  people,  and  are  commanded  by 
my  cousin.  Coll  McDonell  of  Barisdale." 

"  I  suppose  you'll  be  related  to  nearly  every 
man  of  note  we'll  meet  in  the  country  now," 
Father  O'Rourke  said,  with  a  laugh. 

"  Very  near,"  said  I ;  "  but  come  on." 

As  we  approached  my  c  usin  came  out  to 
meet  us,  and  I  remembered  his  face  though  I 
had  not  seen  him  since  I  was  a  lad. 

"  Well,  Barisdale,  and  how  are  you  ?"  said 
I,  not  making  myself  known,  but  willing  to 
put  a  joke  on  him. 

"  Sir,  you  have  the  advantage  of  me,"  says 
he,  drawing  himself  up  mighty  stiff;  "1  do 
not  remember  that  I  ever  had  the  honour  of 
seeing  you  before." 

"  Man,  man  I"  I  said,  "  and  is  that  the  way 

you  will  be  disowning  your  kith  and  kin — 

this  comes  of  consorting  with  Princes,"  I  said, 

203 


d, 


SPANISH    JOHN 

aside,  with  a  droll  look  to  Father  O'Rourke. 
"Things  have  come  to  a  pretty  pass  when 
Barisdale  does  not  know  Scottos  because  he 
wears  a  foreign  uniform." 

At  this  he  saw  my  end  and  received  us 
most  courteously.  "  Come  away,  come  away, 
you  and  Captain  Lynch,  too !  Well !  well !  to 
think  of  my  meeting  with  Little  John,  grown 
up  into  a  man.  'Tis  enough  to  make  me  feel 
like  a  grandfather !"  and  we  all  sate  down  un- 
der some  pines  and  heartily  discussed  the 
meat  and  drink  his  people  set  before  us. 

His  news  was  bad  enough,  but  I  was  great- 
ly relieved  to  hear  Mr.  Secretary  Murray  was 
with  Lochiel  at  his  seat  of  Auchnacarrie,  and 
that  though  Lochiel  had  been  badly  wounded 
through  both  legs,  he  was  recovering,  after 
having  made  the  narrowest  of  escapes  as  he 
was  borne  thither.  That  a  meeting  of  Lord 
Lovat,  Lochiel,  Glengarry,  Glenbucket,  and 
others  had  taken  place  at  Murlag  m,  near  the 
head  of  the  Lake,  on  the  fifteenth  of  May — 
we 'were  now  at  the  twentieth  —  that  it  was 
decided  to  gather  what  men  could  be  found, 
and  ei^  ^er  make  a  stand  or  obtain  terms  from 
the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  now  at  Fort  Augus- 

208 


i  r 


I 

1 1  ; 


If! 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 


1 


tus.  Lochgarry,  Colonel  Donald  McDonald, 
would  be  here  to-morrow  with  the  rest  of 
Glengarry's  regiment,  and  he,  Coll,  had  just 
gathered  these  men  in  our  own  country,  Knoi- 
dart,  and  was  on  his  way  slowly  to  the  rendez- 
vous at  Glenmallie,  but  he  could  not  count 
even  on  his  own  men  with  any  certainty, 
as  there  had  been  no  pay,  and  the  want  at 
home  was  heart-breaking.  It  was  the  same 
story  that  drove  the  loss  of  the  money  deeper 
and  deeper  into  ray  heart  like  a  crying  that 
would  not  be  stilled.  He  did  not  know  what 
had  become  of  the  Prince,  but  assuredly  he 
had  not  been  killed  in  the  battle,  as  he  had 
passed  by  Loch-na-Nuagh,  in  Arisoig,  on  the 
twenty-first  of  last  month,  and  that  doubtless, 
ere  this,  Lochiel  would  have  had  tidings  of 
him.  I  told  Barisdale  we  would  proceed  on 
the  morrow  to  Auchnacarrie  and  see  Mr.  Sec- 
retary Murray,  and  would  then  determine  on 
our  future  movements. 


After  a  long  night,  we  took  a  guide  and 
men  to  carry  our  baggage  and  set  out — the 
first  comfortable  marching  we  had  yet  done, 
for  the  weather  was  fine  and  there  was  no 

204 


SPAXISil    JOHN 


more  danger  of  meeting  an  English  soldier 
here  than  in  the  Corso.  We  recovered  our 
old  spirits;  indeed,  we  had  done  so  the  mo- 
ment we  fell  in  with  our  own  people. 

That  same  evening  we  arrived  at  Auchna- 
carrie,  and  were  most  kindly  received  by  Loch- 
iel,  a  perfect  figure  of  a  Highland  gentleman; 
indeed,  he  reminded  us  much  of  our  own  gal- 
lant Colonel  MacDonnell,  who  fell  at  Velletri. 
There  he  was,  lying  in  a  state  most  men 
would  have  found  evil  enough,  with  most 
likely  a  reward  out  for  his  capture,  dead  or 
alive,  his  fortunes  broken  and  his  house  falling 
about  his  ears.  But  he  banished  all  tliought 
of  his  personal  loss  and  suffering  in  his  anxi- 
ety to  fittingly  provide  for  the  entertainment 
of  his  guests,  wiio  were  constantly  arriving ;  to 
soothe  those  who  were  finding  fault  with  ev- 
erything from  tlie  beginning,  and  they  were 
many ;  to  hold  together  his  men,  who  were 
desperate  and  almost  at  the  point  of  mutiny 
for  arrears  of  the  pay  so  sadly  needed ;  and, 
above  all,  to  inspire  somewhat  of  his  own 
great  spirit  into  the  downhearted.  Truly,  a 
man  one  might  worship  I 

I  had  almost  a  hesitation  in  meeting  him, 

m 


m 


ir 


\. 


SPANISH    JOHN 

for  it  was  my  Uncle  Scottos  whom  the  Prince 
had  sent  to  induce  him  to  join  his  Cause,  and 
I  could  not  but  reflect  on  what  the  outcome 
had  been.  But  at  his  first  words  my  appre- 
hensions vanished.  "  Welcome,  McDonell  1" 
he  said,  "  we  have  a  common  loss,  and  that  is 
enough  for  friendship.  Donald  McDonell  was 
as  good  a  gentleman  as  ever  drew  sword,  and 
I  am  proud  io  welcome  his  nephew." 


Mr.  Secretary  Murray  we  found  very  differ- 
ent from  the  gentleman  we  had  seen  in  the 
Santi  Apostoli;  he  had  lost  all  his  fine  airs, 
and,  as  Father  O'Eourke  said,  had  as  much 
rattle  to  him  as  a  wet  bladder.  From  the 
bottom  of  my  heart  I  wished  that  ray  busi- 
ness had  been  with  his  host  instead  of  him. 
Indeed,  I  remember  the  curious  feeling  came 
over  me  that  I  would  with  as  much  confi- 
dence hand  over  the  money  to,Creach  as  to 
him.  Not  that  I  then  had  any  doubt  of  his 
honesty — for  I  will  not  pretend  to  be  a  prophet 
now  that  everything  is  over — but  I  had  rather 
pin  my  faith  to  a  stout  scamp  provided  he 
have  some  sense  of  honour — and  I  have  met 
few  men  without  it  in  my  time — than  to  an 

806 


SPANISH    JOHN 


le 


indifferent  honest  man  who  is  badly  fright- 
ened. 

However,  as  I  had  my  orders,  and  it  was 
not  for  me  to  question  them,  I  handed  over 
the  five  hundred  guineas  with  the  Duke's  let- 
ters and  took  his  receipt  for  them,  at  the 
same  time  promising  to  give  him  a  statement 
in  writing  of  the  robbery  at  Loch  Broom, 
signed  by  Father  O'Rourke  and  myself,  in  the 
morning. 

"  And  now,  Mr.  Secretary,  I  would  like  to 
ask  a  private  question,"  I  said.  "  Did  Creach — 
or  Graeme,  if  you  like — ever  deliver  the  money 
he  was  entrusted  with  ?" 

"  I  do  not  know ;  I  never  received  any,"  he 
answered,  hurriedly,  and  then  asked,  anxious- 
ly, "  have  you  heard  anything  of  him  ?" 

"  Heard  of  him  ?  Damn  his  smooth,  white 
face !  We  have  heard  of  him,  and  seen  him, 
and  had  a  taste  of  his  quality,  too !  He  was 
at  the  bottom  of  this  robbery,  or  my  name  is 
not  McDonell  I  And  hark  you,  Mr.  Secretary. 
Your  head,  and  better  heads  too,  I  will  add 
without  offence,  are  not  worth  a  tallow  dip 
while  that  scoundrel  is  above  ground.  Think 
you  vermin  of  his  kind  will  run  any  risk  while 

207 


SPANISH    JOHN 

safety  is  to  be  bought  by  a  little  more  of  his 
dirty  work  ?  He  will  sell  you  and  Lochiel,  and, 
God  help  him,  the  Prince  too,  if  he  has  oppor- 
tunity, and  you  only  have  yourselves  to  thank 
for  it." 

His  own  face  was  as  white  as  Creach's  by 
this  time,  and,  seeing  nothing  was  to  be  gained 
by  going  farther,  now  that  I  had  relieved  ray 
mind,  I  left  him  to  sleep  on  the  pillow  I  had 
furnished  and  returned  to  Lochiel's,  where  I 
found  him  and  Father  OH">urke  in  as  lively  a 
conversation  as  if  there  were  not  a  trouble 
within  or  without  the  four  walls. 

"Well,  McDonell,"  he  said,  "I  have  to 
thank  you  for  the  day  you  joined  forces  with 
Father  O'Rourke  and  marched  on  my  poor 
house  of  Auchnacarrie.  'Tis  the  best  rein- 
forcement I  have  had  for  many  a  long 
day." 

*'  Faith,  'tis  a  long  day  since  we  began  cam- 
paigning together,"  laughed  the  priest.  "It 
all  began  in  the  inn  at  Aquapendente,"  and 
thereupon  he  must  tell  the  story  of  our  advent- 
ure with  Creach,  at  which  Lochiel  laughed 
heartily ;  indeed,  Father  O'Rourke's  stories 
seemed  to  jump  with  his  humour,  and  he  was 


SPANISH    JOHN 

never  tired  of  his  company  during  the  time  we 
spent  with  him. 


A  day  or  so  afterwards,  it  was  proposed 
that  I  should  cross  the  Lake  with  Mr.  Secre- 
tary Murray  to  hold  a  consultation  with  Lord 
Lov^,  at  Glendesherrie,  bearing  messages 
from  Lochiel.  Thither  we  went  and  found  an 
old  man  bent  with  illness  and  his  own  weight, 
and  of  a  temper  most  uncertain.  Indeed,  he 
did  nothing  but  grumble  and  swear  most  of 
the  time  we  were  there,  and  at  first  would  re- 
turn no  sensible  answer  to  the  projects  we 
laid  before  him. 

"  Why  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  evil  do 
you  come  to  me  with  your  fiddle-faddle  plans 
when  I  am  ready  to  step  into  my  grave  ?"  he 
grumbled.  "  Whom  am  I  to  believe  ?  Where 
in  the  devil  are  the  sixteen  thousand  men  that 
were  coming  from  France?  Where  are  the 
ships  with  supplies  and  money  that  were  only 
waiting  for  a  fair  wind  ?  Has  no  wind  blown 
off  the  coast  of  France  since  it  blew  the 
Prince  here  last  July  with  a  beggarly  follow- 
ing not  fit  for  a  private  gentleman?  Had 
he  come  absolutely  alone  it  might  have  been 
o     •  ao» 


^ 


! 


SPANISH   JOHN 


I 


better,  for  then  he  would  have  been  with- 
out some  of  his  rattle  -  brained  councillors, 
not  even  excepting  yourself,  Mr.  Murray  of 
Broughton,"  the  old  man  said,  with  a  sneer 
and  a  low  bow  that  brought  the  blood  in  a 
rush  to  Mr.  Secretary's  face.  "  If  even  mon- 
ey had  been  sent,  something  might  have  been 
done — might  be  done  even  yet ;  but  here  are 
these  men  clamouring  for  return  to  their 
homes,  where,  their  wives  and  little  ones  have 
been  starving  and  dying  for  want  of  support, 
and  this,  too,  when  no  man  can  say  how  long 
his  head  will  be  above  his  shoulders.  Pay 
the  men  who  are  here !  Let  them  send  some- 
thing to  their  homes  in  the  hills,  and  I'll  an- 
swer for  it  they  will  stand  even  yet.  But,  my 
God !  how  can  you  ask  human  creatures  to  do 
more  than  they  have  done,  with  starvation  at 
home  as  well  as  in  their  own  bellies  ? 

"  And  what  has  your  Prince  done  ?  Pranced 
and  prinked  at  balls,  and  chucked  silly  wench- 
es under  the  chin.  Listened  to  the  blather- 
ings  of  Irish  adventurers,  greedy  only  for 
themselves.  Estranged,  if  not  insulted,  every 
man  of  weight  and  sensibility.  Made  paper 
proclamations  and  scattered  paper  titles  that 

210 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

will  rob  the  men  who  receive  them  of  life  and 
lands  and  everything  else." 

"  Not  everything,  my  Lord,"  I  objected,  for 
I  was  tired  of  this  long  tirade;  "honour  is 
left." 

"  Honour !"  he  snorted,  "  and  who  are  vou 
to  talk  of  honour?  A  fine  specimen  yon  have 
given  us  of  it,  not  to  carry  a  sum  of  money 
that  I  would  have  entrusted  to  one  of  my 
drovers." 

"  I  know  nothing  of  your  drovers,  my  Lord, 
and  I  beg  leave  to  withdraw,  as  I  cannot  stay 
and  listen  to  insults,  -^^lich  your  age  and  in- 
firmities prevent  my  answering  as  they  de- 
serve." 

"  You  can  answer  them  till  vou're  black  in 
the  face,  if  that's  any  satisfaction  to  you  I 
And,  what's  more,  if  you  will  but  provide  me 
with  a  new  backbone  and  another  pair  of  legs, 
nothing  would  give  me  a  greater  pleasure 
than  to  see  some  of  your  new-fangled  tricks 
at  the  fence.  Tell  me  now,"  he  went  on,  in 
an  entirely  new  tone,  "did  you  ever  learn 
anything  abroad  better  than  your  Uncle  Scot- 
tos  taught  you  at  home  ?" 

"Never,"  I  answered,  somewhat  softened. 

211 


i 


il 


SPANISH    JOHX 

And  the  strange  part  is  that  before  I  ]>arted 
from  his  Lordship  I  was  only  full  of  admira- 
tion for  his  courage  and  address;  for,  now 
that  he  had  blown  off  all  his  black  vapours,  no 
one  could  be  more  engaging,  and  he  discussed 
each  plan  with  a  keen  insight  that  was  admi- 
rable. He  questioned  me  much  on  Rome  and 
ray  experiences,  and  was  very  apt  with  his 
bits  of  Latinity,  which  I  made  no  effort  to 
cap,  I  think  a  little  to  his  disappointment,  un- 
til I  saw  that  he  began  to  weary,  for  his  in- 
firmity was  visible  upon  him.  So  we  took 
leave,  and  I  shook  hands  for  the  first  and  last 
time  with  Simon  Fraser,  Lord  Lovat. 

We  returned  to  Auchnacarrie  that  same 
evening,  and  the  next  day  one  Donald  Mc- 
Leod  came  and  was  closeted  for  a  long  while 
with  Lochiel  and  Mr.  Secretary  Murray. 
"When  he  left,  I  was  told  he  was  from  the 
Prince,  who  was  in  a  safe  place,  and  that  my 
letters  were  confided  to  his  care.  I  never 
dreamed  at  the  time  of  enquiring  about  the 
money  I  had  handed  Murray,  supposing  it  had 
gone  too,  but  long  afterwards  was  told  by 
McLeod  himself  that  Mr.  Secretary  had  In- 
dia 


THE  LAST  STAND  FOR  PRINCE  CHARLES  WAS  AT  AN  END 


i 


SPANISH    JOUN 

formed  him  that  he  had  only  sixty  louis  d^ors, 
which  was  barely  sufficient  for  himself,  so  he 
went  back  to  the  Prince  without  a  shilling  of 
the  money  that  the  Duke  had  raised  with  so 
much  pains,  and  which  I  had  so  hardly  deliv- 
ered. 

At  the  time  I  discovered  this,  I  put  Mr. 
Secretary  down  as  low  as  Creach ;  but  feeling 
then  ran  high  against  him,  and  nothing  was 
too  black  to  lay  at  his  door ;  but  since  then  I 
have  considered  it  like  enough  that  old  fox, 
Lovat,  may  have  wheedled  it  out  of  him,  for 
he  was  in  such  miserable  fear  that  he  was 
easy  to  work  upon ;  and,  at  all  events,  the  man 
had  quite  enough  on  his  weary  shoulders 
without  this  addition  to  carry  about  through 
the  rest  of  his  miserable  life.  And  if  I  am 
right  that  Lovat  got  it,  it  was  a  rare  turn  of 
justice  that  Mr.  Secretary  should  be  the  one 
who  swore  away  his  life. 


At  daybreak — it  was  the  27th  of  May — we 
were  expecting  to  be  awakened  by  the  General 
Gathering  on  the  pipes,  but  instead  we  were 
awakened  by  the  warning  notes  of  the  "Cogadh 
no  Sith"  ("War  or  Peace)  and  rushed  out  to 

918 


SPANISH    JOHN 


! 


hear  the  news  that  Lord  Loudon  was  advanc- 
ing upon  us,  hardly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
Our  eight  hundred  men  were  gathered  at  once, 
and  Lochiel,  being  borne  by  four  stout  High- 
landers, made  his  escape  in  a  boat  which  was 
kept  for  such  an  emergency,  while  we  set  out 
in  all  haste  for  the  west  end  of  Loch  Airkaig, 
which  we  reached  just  in  time  to  escape  an- 
other body  of  soldiers  sent  to  intercept  us. 

At  dusk  we  separated  with  sad  farewells 
but  brave  wishes,  and  by  bodies,  which  quick- 
ly dwindled  smaller  and  smaller,  every  man 
took  his  own  way,  and  the  last  stand  for 
Prince  Charles  was  at  an  end. 


i 


, 


VIII 

How  I  fared  Id  my  attempt  to  recover  the  stolen  money, 
and  how  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  came  face  to  face 
with  unlooked-for  company  in  the  Inn  at  Portree. 

Wb,  in  company  with  my  kinsmen,  pushed 
our  way  rapidly  towards  Enoidart.  Although 
it  had  been  perfectly  plain  to  us  both — for  Fa- 
ther O'Rourke  had  picked  up  no  mean  bit  of 
soldiering  in  his  campaigning — that  any  suc- 
cessful stand  was  out  of  the  question — for  the 
cordon  was  every  day  tightening  round  Loch- 
iel,  and,  worse  than  this,  some  of  the  princi- 
pals, like  Lovat,  were  disheartened,  and  only 
anxious  to  make  their  peace  on  any  terms — 
Murray,  who  was  to  some  extent  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  Prince,  was  badly  frightened, 
and  most  of  the  Highlanders  were  wearying 
to  return  home.  This  was  all  patent  to  us, 
and  yet  we  could  not  help  feeling  a  sense  of 
dejection  with  tha  others,  most  of  whom  knew 
no  reason  whatever  for  anything  they  did, 

215 


I   ; 


'I  !' 


i  i 


i  J 


! 


i  iji 

:i  V. 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

beyond  that  they  were  ordered  to  it  by  their 
chiefs. 

But  nothing  like  a  spice  of  danger  will 
cheer  a  lagging  spirit,  and  for  the  first  twelve 
hours  we  had  enough  of  it  and  to  spare.  But 
though  at  times  nearly  surrounded,  being  able 
to  scatter  on  any  approach,  we  had  an  advant- 
age over  what  troops  we  met,  and  were  not 
slow  to  avail  ourselves  of  our  opportunities. 
"  Faith,  I've  not  done  so  much  running  away 
since  I  was  at  school!"  Father  O'Rourke  de- 
clared; and,  indeed,  to  see  him  one  would 
swear  he  had  the  heart  of  a  school-boy  in  him 
still. 

However,  we  were  soon  beyond  actual  dan- 
ger, and  now  made  our  way  openly  enough, 
until  one  evening  we  stood  on  the  highway, 
and  before  us  I  pointed  out  to  Father  O'Rourke 
the  chimnies  of  Crowlin,  my  father's  house, 
which  I  had  left  as  a  boy  of  twelve,  six  years 
before. 

Eighteen  may  not  seem  a  great  age  to  my 
reader,  and  does  not  to  me  to-day,  when  I  can 
cap  it  with  fifty  years  and  more,  but  on  that 
June  day  in  the  year  '46,  when  I  stood  and 
knocked  the  dust  of  the  road  off  my  shoes,  I 


i    : 


SPANISH    JOHN 


felt  like  a  man  who  had  spent  a  lifetime  away 
from  all  he  had  known  as  a  boy,  and  my  heart 
grew  so  big  within  me  that  I  could  hardly  say 
the  words,  "  There !  that  is  Crowlin." 

*^Aye,  Giovannini,  and  the  man  is  blessed 
that  has  a  Crowlin  to  come  back  to,"  Father 
O'Rourke  said,  laying  his  hand  on  my  shoul- 
der. 

"  Oh,  I  don't  mean  that.  Father;  'tis  a  poor 
place  enough,"  I  answered,  for  fear  he  should 
think  I  was  vaunting  it. 

"And  I  didn't  mean  that  either,  Giovan- 
nini," he  said,  smiling.    *'  But  let  us  be  going." 

So  on  we  went,  each  familiar  object  break- 
ing down  the  first  feeling  of  separation  until 
the  years  between  vanished  before  a  voice 
within,  saying,  "  I  saw  you  yesterday !  I  saw 
you  yesterday  !"  as  we  passed  the  big  rock  by 
the  bend  of  the  road,  and  followed  the  little 
path  with  the  same  turns  across  the  fields  and 
over  the  brook,  with  the  same  brown  water 
slipping  between  the  same  stepping-stones. 
"  You  crossed  o'er  yesterday !  You  crosseil 
o'er  yesterday !"  it  seemed  to  say ;  and  so  on, 
until  the  dogs  rushed  out  barking  at  us  from 
the  house  itself. 

in 


<  II 


SPANISH    JOHN 


if 
i 


"  Go  in  first,  lad — go  in.  I'll  stay  and  make 
friends  with  the  collies,"  said  Father  O'Rourke, 
seating  himself,  and  I  left  him. 

I  found  my  father  sadly  changed ;  much 
more  so  than  I  had  gathered  from  the  news  1 
had  received ;  indeed,  it  was  easy  to  see  that 
his  disease  was  fast  nearing  its  end.  Pie  was 
greatly  brightened  by  my  return,  and  heartily 
welcomed  Father  O'Rourke,  the  more  so  when 
he  learned  his  true  character,  and  they  took 
to  each  other  at  once. 

When  I  saw  the  great,  bare  house — all  the 
more  forlorn  for  the  lot  of  rantipole  boys  and 
girls,  children  of  my  poor  Uncle  Scottos — 
wanting  the  feeling  of  a  home,  that  somehow 
seems  absent  without  a  woman  about — for  my 
sister  Margaret  was  the  same  as  adopted  by 
Lady  Jane  Drummond — and  my  poor  father 
waiting  his  end  among  his  books,  alone,  year 
in  year  out,  I  first  realized  something  of  what 
my  absence  had  meant  to  him,  and  of  the  ef- 
fort it  had  cost  him  to  send  me  away. 


It  was  decided  we  should  remain  where  we 
were  for  the  present,  until  something  definite 
was  heard  from  the  Prince,  which  might  lead 

111 


SPANISH    JOHN 


, 


to  further  action.  As  it  would  only  have 
courted  danger,  which  I  hold  a  man  has  no 
right  to  do,  we  put  off  our  uniforms  and  soon 
were  transformed  by  the  Highland  dress. 

To  me  it  was  nothing,  this  change  to  a  kilt 
and  my  own  short  hair,  replacing  the  bag 
wig  with  a  blue  bonnet,  but  Father  O'Rourke 
would  fain  have  returned  to  the  cassock  he 
had  left  behind  him  on  board  the  Swallow^ 
and  was  most  uncomfortable  for  many  days 
until  he  learned  to  manage  the  kilt  "  with  de- 
cency, if  not  with  grace,''  as  he  said  himself. 

"Oh,  Isaiah,  Isaiah!"  he  groaned;  "little 
did  I  dream  you  were  preaching  at  me  when 
you  commanded,  'Uncover  thy  locks,  make 
bare  the  leg'  (Discoo^^eri  humerum,  revela 
crura),"  and  he  would  pretend  to  cover  up  his 
great  knees  with  his  short  kilt,  to  the  delight 
of  the  children,  who  were  hail-fellow-well-met 
with  him  from  the  hour  of  his  arrival. 

Many  was  the  pleasant  talk  he  had  with  my 
father,  who  was  full  of  his  remembrances  of 
Rome  and  the  College  he  so  loved  in  the  via 
delle  Quattro  Fontane.  With  him  he  stopped 
all  his  tomfooleries,  and  I  was  surprised  to 
see  what  excellent  reason  he  would  discourse, 


^^1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

and  take  a  pleasure  in  it  too.  But  it  must 
not  be  taken  he  only  amused  himself  and  my 
father,  for  more  than  one  weary  journey  did 
he  make  into  the  hills  to  minister  to  some 
wounded  unfortunate  tliere  in  hiding,  sore 
needing  the  spiritual  consolation  he  alone 
could  carry.  As  the  "  Sagairt  an  t-Suighdeir" 
(the  Soldier  Priest)  lie  was  soon  known  and 
demanded  far  and  near,  and  no  request  ever 
met  with  a  refusal,  no  matter  what  danger 
might  offer. 


I  may  mention  it  was  now  the  common 
people  began  to  speak  of  me  as  "Spanish 
John,"  a  name  that  has  stuck  fast  to  the  ])res- 
ent ;  indeed,  such  names  serve  a  purpose  use- 
ful enough  where  a  whole  country-side  may 
have  but  one  family  name,  and  I  can  assure 
you,  the  McDonells  never  wanted  for  Johns. 
There  were  Red  Jolms,  and  Bhack  Johns,  and 
Fair  Johns,  and  Big  Johns,  and  Johns  of 
every  size  and  colour  and  deformity.  Had 
they  known  a  little  more  geographically,  they 
might  have  come  nearer  the  mark ;  but  it  is 
not  for  me  to  quarrel  with  the  name  they  saw 
fit  to  fasten  upon  me,  as  most  of  them  knew 

^90 


i 


MANY  WAS  THE  PLEASANT  TALK  IIK  HAD  WITH  MY  FATHER  * 


I 


SPANISH    JOHN 

as  little  difference  between  Spain  and  Italy  as 
between  Mesopotamia  and  Timbuctoo. 


The  English  were  about  at  times,  and  more 
than  once  we  had  to  take  to  the  heather,  and 
lie  skulking  for  days  togetlier  in  the  hills;  but 
no  harm  came  to  Crowlin.  Indeed,  I  thought 
but  little  of  the  ravages  committed,  though 
they  have  been  made  much  of  since,  for 
waste  many  a  mile  of  country  had  I  helped 
to  lay,  and  that  a  country  like  to  the  Gar- 
den of  Eden  compared  with  this  tangle  of 
heath  and  hill.  It  was  only  the  fortune  of 
war;  and,  after  all,  there  was  many  a  one 
who  lived  on  without  being  disturbed,  al- 
ways ready  to  lend  a  hand  to  those  less  fortu- 
''ate. 

Early  in  June  we  heard  the  news  of  the 
capture  of  old  Lord  Lovat,  in  Loch  Morar,  and 
before  the  end  of  the  month  that  Mr.  Secre- 
tary Murray  had  also  fallen  into  the  hands  of 
the  Government.*  About  this  time  too  we  heard 
some  ugly  reports  of  one  Allan  McDonald 
Knock,  of  Sleat,  in  the  Isle  of  Skye,  and, 
though  a  cousin  of  our  own,  it  was  said  he 
was  the  head  of  the  informers  and  spies,  and 

881 


SPAxNISH    JOHN 

from  the  description  we  suspected  that  Creach 
was  his  coadjutor. 


I 

r 

i 


As  soon  as  our  country  began  to  get  more 
settled,  I  resolved  to  go  North  and  see  if  I 
could  come  on  any  chance  of  recovering  the 
stolen  money ;  for  now  the  Prince  would  need 
it  more  than  ever,  as  the  last  news  we  had  of 
him  was  in  South  Uist,  in  great  straits  for 
every  necessity.  Accordingly,  I  set  out  alone, 
and,  on  arriving  in  the  McKenzie  country,  I 
put  up  for  a  night  with  a  Mr.  McKenzie,  of 
Torridon,  who  had  been  out  as  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  in  my  cousin  Coll  Barisdale's  regi- 
ment. 

I  made  some  inquiries,  and  found  old  Colin 
Dearg  was  still  in  the  country,  but  was  careful 
not  to  disclose  the  object  of  my  visit,  which 
was  an  easy  enough  matter,  as  our  talk  ran 
on  the  troubles  of  our  friends  and  the  Prince. 

The  next  morning,  while  the  lady  of  the 
house  was  ordering  breakfast,  I  went  for  a 
solitary  stroll,  to  turn  over  my  plans  and  de- 
cide how  I  might  best  approach  the  matter. 
I  had  not  gone  far  before  I  met  a  well-dressed 
man,  also   in  Highland  clothes,  taking  the 

222 


SPANISH    JOHN 


morning  air,  and  with  him,  uftor  (Mvil  sahita- 
tions,  I  fell  into  discourse  about  former  hap- 
penings in  the  country. 

What  was  my  astonishment  to  hear  him  of 
his  own  accord  begin  the  story  of  the  French 
officers  who  came  to  Loch  Broom,  and  how 
the  thousand  guineas  had  been  cut  out  of 
their  portmanteau  by  Colin  Dearg  and  the 
others.  Major  William  McKenzie  of  Killcoy, 
and  Lieutenant  Murdock  McKenzie,  from  Ding- 
wall, both  officers  of  Lord  Cromarty's  regiment. 

"  A  pretty  mess  they  made  of  the  matter,"  he 
said,  "  and  were  well  despised  through  all  the 
country  for  their  behaviour ;  but  had  they  only 
taken  my  advice  there  would  never  have  been 
a  word  about  it." 

*'  Indeed  !"  said  I,  astonished  beyond  meas- 
ure.  "  And  pray,  sir,  what  did  you  advise  ?" 

"  Och,  I  would  have  cut  off  both  their  heads 
and  made  a  sure  thing  of  it,  and  there  never 
would  have  been  another  word  about  the 
matter." 

I  looked  at  him  with  a  good  deal  of  curi- 
osity, for  I  can  assure  you  it  gives  a  man  a 
strange  feeling  to  hear  his  taking  off  talked 
over  to  his  face  as  a  matter  of  course. 

328 


S]»AMSn    JOHJ<f 


I 


"  Who  were  they,"  I  asked,  "  and  from 
what  country  ?" 

^^The  oldest,  and  a  stout-like  man,  was  Irish. 
The  youngest,  and  very  strong- like,  was  a 
AfcDonell,  of  the  family  of  Glengarry,"  he 
answered. 

"  How  did  they  know  tho  money  was  there? 
Did  these  officers  speak  of  it  ?"  I  asked,  think- 
ing I  might  aw  well  get  at  the  whole  story. 

"  No,"  said  he,  "  but  another  officer,  who 
Mad  been  with  old  Colin  since  the  battle,  went 
on  board  their  ship  when  they  landed  and 
told  him  the  youngest  one  was  sure  to  have 
money." 

"  Was  his  na'^9  Creach  or  Graeme,"  I  went 
on. 

"  I  don't  just  remember,  but  his  face  was  as 
white  as  a  sick  woman's,"  was  the  answer, 
which  fixed  my  man  for  me  beyond  a  doubt. 

"And  what  was  done  with  the  money?" 

"  Colin  Dearg  got  three  hundred  guineas, 
William  K?!lcov  three  hundred,  and  Lieuten 
ant  Murdock  MjKenzie  three  hundred." 

"  And  what  of  the  other  hundred  ?" 

"  Two  men  who  stood  *behind  the  Irish 
C.^aptain  with  drawn  dirks,  ready  to  kill  him 

824 


SPANISH    JOHN 


as 


8h 
im 


had  he  observed  Colin  Dearg  cutting  open 
the  portmanteau,  got  twenty  -  five  guineas 
each,  and  I  and  another  man,  prepared  to 
do  the  like  to  the  young  Captain  McDonell, 
got  the  same,"  he  answered,  very  cool,  as 
if  it  were  a  piece  of  business  he  did  every 
day. 

"  Now,  are  you  telling  the  truth?"  I  asked, 
sternly. 

*'  As  sure  as  T  shall  answer  for  it  on  the  Last 
Day,"  he  said,  warmly. 

"  And  do  you  know  to  whom  you  are 
speaking  ?" 

''  To  a  friend,  I  suppose,  and  one  of  my  own 


»» 


name 

"  No,  you  damn<Hl  rascal  I"  I  roared,  and 
caught  him  by  the  throat  with  my  left  hand, 
twitching;;  out  my  dirk  in  my  right,  and  Jirow- 
ing  him  on  his  Ixick.  "  I  am  that  very  Mc- 
Donell you  stood  ready  to  murder!"  And  I 
was  within  an  nco  of  running  him  tlirough  the 
heart,  when  I  suddenly  rertected  that  I  was 
quite  alone,  in  a  j)lace  where  I  was  in  a  man- 
ner a  stranger,  and  among  people  whom  I  had 
every  reason  to  distrust.  I  got  up,  thrust  my 
dirk  into  its  sheath,  and  wiilked  otf  without  a 


I 


i; 


SPANISH    JOHN 

word,  leaving  the  fellow  lying  where  I  had 
thrown  him. 

I  met  Mr.  McKenzie  in  the  entry,  who 
asked  me  where  I  had  been. 

"  Taking  a  turn,"  said  I. 

"  Have  you  met  with  anything  to  vex 
you  ?" 

"  No,"  said  I,  smiling. 

"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  I  ask  your  pardon,  but  you 
went  out  with  an  innocent  and  harmless  coun- 
tenance, and  you  come  in  with  a  complexion 
fierce  beyond  description." 

"  Come,  come,  Mr.  McKenzie,"  said  I,  laugh- 
ing, "  none  of  your  scrutinizing  remarks ;  let 
us  have  our  morning." 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  said  he,  pouring  out 
the  whiskey. 

I  made  some  cautious  inquiries  about  the 
man  of  ray  morning  adventure,  to  which  Tor- 
ridon  replied  ho  was  a  stranger  to  the  place, 
but  he  believed  him  to  be  probably  a  soldier 
in  Lord  Cromarty's  regiment. 

As  soon  as  I  could  decently  do  so,  I  took 
leave  of  my  host  and  hastened  to  put  into 
execution  a  plan  I  had  formed. 

226 


mt 

bhe 
jor- 

lier 


SPANISH    JOHN 

My  cousin  John,  Glengurry,  was  the  head 
of  our  family  and  my  chief,  and  to  him  I  de- 
termined to  appl3\  I  therefore  set  out  at 
once  for  Invergarry,  where  I  found  the  castle 
entirely  dismantled  and  abandoned,  so  that 
when  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  appeared  some- 
what later  he  found  only  bare  walls  to  destroy ; 
but  destroy  tliem  he  did,  so  completely  that  he 
did  not  even  leave  a  foundation. 

I  found  Glengarry  easily  enough,  living  in 
retirement  in  a  safe  ])lace  among  his  own  peo- 
ple, ar  i  |\iid  my  respects  to  him  with  great 
good  \  5ii;  indeed,  few  chiefs  had  greater 
claims  than  he. 

His  father,  Alastair  Dubli,  was  one  of  the 
best  warriors  of  his  day,  and  had  performed 
teats  at  Killiecrankie  that  a  man  might  well 
be  proud  of.  There,  too,  the  chiefs  elder 
brother,  Donald  Gorm,  fell  gloriously,  having 
killed  eighteen  of  the  enemy  wiih  his  own 
sword. 

His  eldest      m,  Alastair,  was   now   in  the 

Tower  of  London,  a  prisoner,  and  /Eneas,  iiis 

second,  had  been  accidentally  sliut  at  Falkirk 

six   months  before,   whilst   in   arms   for   the 

Prince. 

007 


H 


SI'ANISII    JOHN 


He,  himself,  had  not  been  out,  but  no  more 
had  Clanranald;  indeed,  in  many  cases  it  was 
thought  best  tlie  heads  of  the  families  should 
not  bo  involved,  in  the  event  of  the  rising  not 
proving  favourable;  but  this  turnetl  out  to 
bo  a  sorrv  defence  in  more  cases  than  one, 
amongst  which  was  Glengarr3''s  own. 

After  hearing  my  story,  he  said,  laughing, 
"  Man  !  but  this  would  make  a  pretty  quarrel 
with  the  McKenzies  if  we  only  had  these 
troubles  off  our  hands.  I  would  send  with 
you  men  enough  to  turn  their  whole  country 
upside  down,  and  you  might  consider  the 
money  as  safe  as  if  you  had  it  in  your  own 
sporan.  But  what  can  I  do  'i  You  dare  not 
take  any  body  of  men  across  the  country,  and, 
more  than  that,  I  haven't  them  to  send,  even 
if  you  could  Hut  let  us  sleep  over  it,  and  wo 
will  see  what  can  be  done  in  th?  morning.'* 

I  told  him  my  i^lan  was  to  go  straight  to 
Dundonald,  who  was  ai\  honourable  man,  and 
through  him  try  and  work  on  his  uncle,  old 
Colin  Dear^:  and  could  he  but  provide  me 
with  live  or  six  men,  by  way  of  a  life-guard,  it 
was  all  I  would  ask. 

When  we  parted  on  the  morrow.  Glengarry 

2U8 


1 


SPANISH    JOHN 

said :  *'  There  are  your  men !  but  promise  me 
there  will  be  no  lives  wasted  unless  something 
can  be  gained.  I  have  given  you  five  picked 
men,  and  they  *^.ust  not  be  thrown  away  ;  but 
if  the  money  can  be  got,  and  fighting  is 
wanted,  you  have  five  better  swords  at  your 
back  than  ever  were  dreamed  of  among  the 
McKenzies ;  and  whether  you  send  tiiem  all 
back  or  not,  V\\  be  satisfied  so  long  as  you 
make  good  use  of  them/' 


rrv 


We  made  our  way  with  ali  5)Oi:<*ible  speed 
and  precaution  until  we  arrived  at  Dundon- 
aUVs,  and  with  him  I  was  well  pleased,  more 
particularly  at  his  reception  of  my  plans,  and 
his  promise  to  send  for  old  Colin  and  have 
him  meet  us  at  a  place  appointed. 

Thither  we  all  repaired,  and  after  inquiring 
from  Dundonald  the  particulars  of  the  house, 
which  I  found  simple  enough,  for  it  was  all 
(me  fioor  without  partitions  and  but  a  single 
door,  I  laid  out  my  plan  of  action  to  my  men. 

Should  old  Colin  keep  tho  appointment,  it 
would  most  probably  be  after  dark,  and  he 
was  sure  to  come  with  a  strong  following, 
more  particularly  if  he  suspected  I  v/as  in  the 


SPANISH    JOHN 


matter,  which  well  might  be  the  case  after 
my  meeting  of  the  previous  week.  So  I  de- 
termined as  follows:  my  men  should  seat 
themselves  just  within  the  door,  not  allowing 
any  one  to  separate  them,  and  see  they  kept 
their  arms  clear  that  they  might  be  drawn 
the  moment  I  made  the  signal.  At  this,  the 
two  I  named  wore  to  keep  the  door,  and  the 
other  three  })ass  out  and  at  once  fire  the  house 
at  both  ends,  and  then  return  to  back  up  the 
others  at  the  door,  where  they  could  easily 
cut  down  the  McKenzies  as  they  attempted  to 
make  their  way  out. 

As  for  me,  I  would  seat  mvself  between 
Dundonald  and  old  Colin  Dearg,  and  at  the 
first  serious  offensive  motion  I  would  do  for 
lx)th  of  them  at  once  with  my  dirk  and  pistol, 
knock  out  tlie  li«^lit,  and  try  to  make  for  the 
door.  If  I  chancod  to  get  tiu»re  alive,  they 
wov  tl  know  my  voice,  as  I  would  shout  our 
rallying  cry, ''  Fraoch  Eilean  !"  but  if  I  failed, 
to  see  that  every  soul  within  |H»rished  along 
with  me.  Thoro  was  a  good  ciiance  of  escap- 
ing, as  I  held  the  stait  of  tiie  tiglit  in  my  own 
hands,  and  I  counted  that  between  the  sur- 
prise and  the  dark  1  ran  no  risk  boj'ond  the 

880 


SPANISH    JOHN 

ordinary.  I  regretted  that  my  plan  should 
include  Dundonald,  but  as  he  was  a  MoKen- 
zie  that  could  not  be  helped. 


I  was  right  in  every  particular,  for  it  was 
dark  when  old  Colin  appeared,  and  he  was 
followed  by  forty  or  fifty  men,  carrying,  ap- 
parently, only  short  sticks,  but  under  their 
coats  I  perceived  they  had  their  dirks  ready. 
They  entered  the  house,  and,  without  giving 
them  a  moment  to  settle  or  to  disconcert  our 
plan,  I  entered  boUll}''  and  seated  myself  as  I 
proposed,  my  men  keeping  together  near  the 
<]oor. 

After  a  short  pause,  every  one  eying  me 
and  mine,  and  we  returning  it,  though  with- 
out offence,  Dundonald  mentioned  the  cause 
of  our  visit  in  as  becoming  a  manner  as  the 
subject  would  admit  of,  speaking  in  English, 
80  that  what  was  offensive  might  not  be  un- 
derstood by  the  men. 

"And  why,  Dundonald,  should  you  come 
inquiring  of  me  about  a  matter  of  which  I 
know  nothing?''  asked  Colin  Dearg,  m  a  silky 
voice,  like  the  old  fox  he  was. 

"Now,  Colin    Dearg   MoKenzie,"  said   I, 

331 


SPANISH    JOHN 

shortly,  "  I  have  neither  time  nor  stomach  for 
smooth  words.  You  cut  that  gold  out  of  my 
portmanteau  with  your  own  hands  and  kept 
three  hundred  guineas  of  it,  while  the  other 
six  went  to  your  fellow  -  thieves.  I  have  it 
from  the  wretch  you  bribed  with  twenty-five 
more  to  murder  me  if  I  saw  you  at  your  dirty 
work.  So  none  of  your  lies,  but  make  what 
restitution  you  can,  and  prove  you  have  some 
honesty  left  in  you  by  banding  over  the 
Prince's  monev." 

The  old  man  never  made  an  attempt  to  de- 
fend himself,  but  after  a  minute  said,  sulkily, 
"Och,  well!  There's  no  use  making  such  a 
pother  about  the  matter  now ;  the  money  is 
gone,  and  I  cannot  give  it  back  if  I  would,  so 
there  is  an  end  of  it  all." 

"  No,"  I  said,  in  Gaelic,  so  all  might  under- 
stand ;  **  because  the  thief  has  spent  the  money 
that  does  not  end  the  matter." 

"What  more  would  you  have?"  asked  the 
old  man,  still  sulky. 

"  The  gallows !"  I  said,  firmly ;  and  with  a 
growl  the  crowd  caught  at  their  dirks;  but 
at  the  same  moment  I  whipped  out  my  dirk 
and  pistol,  and,  covering  both  old  Colin  and 

233 


SPANISH    JOHN 


Dundonald,  swore  I  •would  kill  them  both  if 
the  first  step  was  made  towards  me,  and,  as 
I  spoke,  my  men  took  possession  of  the 
door. 

**  For  the  love  of  God,  my  children,  stand 
you  still — stand  you  still  I"  screamed  old  Colin, 
and  not  a  man  moved. 

£very  man  in  the  room  was  on  his  feet, 
crowding  towards  the  table  where  we  stooti, 
I  facing  tlit;m  all,  holding  both  Dundomild 
and  old  Colin  as  my  sureties  at  the  point  of 
my  weapons,  my  men  keeping  tlie  door  as  I 
knew,  though  I  dared  not  so  much  as  glance 
towards  them,  and  every  one  strained  up  to 
the  point  of  outburst,  only  waiting  for  the 
next  move. 

I  chose  to  keep  the  lead  in  my  own  hands. 
"  Now,  then  1  What  have  you  got  to* say  for 
yourself  ?"  I  demanded  from  old  Colin. 

"  I  might  say  I  have  only  taken  my  own," 
he  returned,  with  amazing  quiet.  "  But  'tis 
ill  talking  with  a  dirk  against  one's  ribs. 
Move  It  a  little  from  me  and  let  me  talk  as  a 
gentleman  should,"  he  went  on,  with  a  cool- 
ness that  brought  forth  a  murmur  of  admira- 
tion from  his  people. 

988 


t 


r 


SI'ANISll    .KHIN 


i.i' 


"  Your  own  r  I  cried, ^mazed  at  his  audac- 
ity. 

"  My  own,  certainly ;  and  not  only  mine, 
but  my  children's  as  well !  Think  you  a  few 
paltry  gold  pieces  will  pay  the  debt  of  the 
Prince  towards  me  and  mine?  We  have  giv- 
en what  your  gold  is  as  dirt  beside!  We 
have  given  lives  that  all  the  gold  under  Heav- 
en cannot  buy  back.  We  have  broken  hearts 
for  his  sake  that  all  the  louis  d'ors  in  France 
cannot  mend.  I  and  mine  have  ruined  our- 
selves beyond  redemption  for  his  Cause,  and, 
when  we  have  winter  and  starvation  before 
us,  why  should  I  not  take  what  comes  to  my 
hand  for  those  nearest  to  me,  when  it  can  be 
of  no  use  elsewhere  ?" 

There  came  answering  groans  and  sighs  of 
approval  from  his  following  at  this  fine-sound- 
ing bombast,  and  I  was  at  a  loss  how  to  cut 
it  short  or  see  my  way  to  an  end,  when, 
taking  advantage  of  my  distraction,  he  sud- 
denly gave  some  signal,  and,  quick  as  thought, 
a  blade  flashed  out  beside  him,  and  I  only 
saved  myself  by  a  chance  parry  with  my 
dirk. 

Then  I  lost  control  of  myself.    "  Take  that, 

884 


SPAN  IS  II    JOHN 


you  Rod  Fox  I"  I  shouted,  and,  raising  my- 
self, I  struck  Colin  Dearg  McKenzie  above 
the  breastbone,  so  that  he  went  down  under 
my  hand  like  an  ox  that  is  felled.  With  my 
pistol-hand  I  knocked  over  the  only  light,  and 
juinjied  for  the  door,  shouting  *'  Fra1)ch  Ei- 
lean!"  and  before  they  could  recover,  I  had 
passed  out  under  the  swords  of  my  men. 

"  Fire  the  thatch  now  I  Fire  the  thatch !" 
I  shouted ;  but  even  as  I  spoke  the  red  flame 
began  running  up  the  roof,  and  our  men 
joined  us  again. 

Every  heart  was  beating  and  every  arm 
tingling  to  begin,  for  we  knew  we  could  hold 
the  door  against  any  number,  but,  to  our  sur- 
prise, no  man  attempted  to  make  his  way  out, 
though  the  dry  thatch  was  beginning  to  crackle 
and  discommode  us  with  its  glare.  There  was 
a  silence  like  the  dead  within. 

I  ap])roached  the  door.  "  Dundonald ! 
What  is  the  matter  with  you,  within  ?  Come 
out  yourself  alone,  and  I  give  you  my  word 
of  honour  you  shall  go  unharmed.  Then  let 
the  others  come  as  they  can." 

"McDonell!"  he  called  back.  "Colin  is 
dead.    They  have  no  heart  for  fighting." 

285 


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SPANISH    JOHN 


!,  1 


"  Then  let  them  burn !  But  come  you  out !" 
for  I  could  not  bear  that  he,  a  gentleman, 
should  perish  with  cattle  such  as  these. 

"  That  I  will  never  do !  We  either  go  out 
together,  or  my  blood  will  be  on  your  hands 
with  theirs!"  he  answered. 

"  My  God,  Dundonald !  What  folly  is  this  ?" 
I  cried,  much  distressed  at  his  obstinacy.  But 
there  came  no  sound  save  the  crackling  of  the 
thatch. 

My  men  said  never  a  word ;  it  was  my 
private  quarrel,  and  though  I  knew  they 
would  be  satisfied  with  whatever  I  might  de- 
cide, I  was  in  a  sore  quandary  what  to  do, 
and  in  my  perplexity  I  leaned  towards 
mercy. 

*  Dundonald?  If  they  will  say  together, 
*  He  was  a  thief  and  came  to  his  death  by  my 
hand  honestly,'  and  if  you  will  come  out  to 
us,  we  will  stand  by  and  let  them  depart  un- 
harmed. There  is  no  time  to  lose ;  the  roof  is 
wellnigh  gone !" 

At  this  there  was  a  babel  of  tongues  with- 
in, while  my  men  grunted  their  approval  be- 
hind me.  Then  came  a  cry  from  the  house : 
"  Red  Colin  was  wrong,  and  came  to  his  end 


SPANISH    JOHN 


fairly  and  honestly  at  the  hand  of  Little  John 
McDonell!" 

"  That  will  do !"  I  cried.     "  Come  you  out 
first,  and  the  others  may  follow !" 

We  stood  off  to  one  side,  prepared  against 
any  sudden  rush  ;  but  Dundonald  stepped  out 
of  the  door  alone,  sheathing  his  sword  as  he 
did  so,  and  placed  himself  in  our  midst.  Then 
appeared  four  men  bearing  the  stalwart  body 
of  old  Colin  Dearg  between  them  in  a  plaid, 
and  after  trooped  the  others.  They  passed  ua 
without  a  word  or  look,  and  kept  on  their 
way  in  silence  up  uowards  the  hills,  not  even 
turning  when  the  roof  crashed  in,  sending  a 
shower  of  sparks  and  flame  into  the  darkness 
overhead. 

"  Dundonald,"  I  said,  when  the  night  had 
shut  them  out  from  us,  "  I  trust  you  bear  me 
no  ill-will  for  this  business?  My  hand  could 
not  reason  when  it  baulked  his  last  treachery.'' 
"  No,  McDonell,"  he  answered,  with  much 
openness,  "  he  was  my  kinsman  and  I  owed 
him  my  support,  but,  now  that  he  is  gone,  I 
will  never  lay  his  going  against  you."  And 
thereupon  we  shook  hands  and  parted  very 
good  friends. 

287 


■'■{ 


i4r 


il  I 


SPANISH   JOHN 

On  my  return  to  Glengarry,  I  was  support- 
ed by  his  approval  of  ray  action.  And,  after 
giving  suitable  acknowledgments  to  the  men, 
dismissed  them  and  made  my  way  back  to 
Crowlin,  where  I  found  them  much  disturbed 
at  my  long  absence,  ?4,nd  fearful  I  had  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  English. 

It  was  now  about  the  beginning  of  July, 
and  hearing  that  the  Prince  would  most  likely 
be  in  Skye,  Father  O'Rourke  and  I  determined 
we  should  take  our  way  thither  to  volunteer 
our  services,  and  accordingly  took  leave  of  my 
father^  He  was  most  willing  we  should  go, 
and  never  complained  of  our  leaving,  although 
we  could  see  that  he  was  daily  drawing  nearer 
to  his  end.  But  he  was  anxious  about  our  ap- 
prehension, as  many  had  been  taken  of  late. 
Major  Ferguson  had  laid  waste  the  lands  of 
Barisdale,  and,  among  others,  my  cousin  Coll 
Barisdale's  fine  house,  Traigh,  was  burned  to 
the  ground.  This  my  father  felt  keenly,  and 
felt  too  that  the  next  blow  might  fall  even 
nearer  home. 

So  we  crossed  over,  intending  to  make  for 
Trottemish,  on  Lord  McDonald's  estate,  but 

288 


SPANISH    JOHN 


heard  news  soon  after  landing  that  the  Prince 
had  gone  on,  probably  to  the  main-land. 

However,  we  kept  on,  and  after  spending 
the  first  night  with  Kory  McDonald  of  Forty- 
menruck,  pushed  as  far  as  Portree,  as  T 
thought  Father  O'Rourke  might  as  well  see 
the  principal  place  in  the  Island. 

When  we  reached  Portree,  we  went  into  a 
tavern  to  obtain  refreshment  after  our  march 
of  twenty  miles,  and  desired  the  landlord  to 
fetch  us  something  to  drink.  Upon  this  he 
informed  us  there  were  gentlemen  in  the  next 
room  who  would  like  to  have  the  pleasure  of 
our  company  if  we  thought  proper  to  indulge 
them.  I  inquired  their  names,  and,  on  hearing 
them,  desired  him  to  present  our  compliments 
and  we  would  join  their  party. 

In  the  next  room  we  found  nine  or  ten  gen- 
tlemen, some  of  whom  I  knew  and  others  I 
had  heard  of,  and,  after  partaking  of  what 
they  had,  I  called  for  more  liquor  to  our  ac- 
count. While  the  landlord  was  preparing 
this  the  door  opened,  and  who  should  appear 
on  the  threshold  but  Captain  Creach.  At  the 
sight  of  us  his  white  face  turned  even  a  shade 

239 


:. 


SPANISH    JOHN 

paler;  however,  I  could  not  but  admire  the 
address  with  which  he  recovered  himself  and 
entered  with  perfect  assurance,  greeting  the 
company,  all  of  whom  evidently  knew  him, 
calling  him  Graeme,  as  usual.  My  first  im- 
pulse was  to  seize  and  denounce  him  before 
them  all,  but  Father  O'Rourke's  hand  was  on 
me  under  the  table,  and  I  reflected  that  my 
mission  from  tlie  Duke  not  being  yet  at  an 
end,  I  was  still  bound  in  my  word ;  so  I  man- 
aged to  conceal  ray  feelings,  and  when  he  was 
introduced  I  bowed  as  if  I  had  never  seen 
him  before,  which  he  returned  as  collected  as 
a  tax-gatherer. 

What  I  had  called  for  now  came  in,  but  I 
noticed  that  Creach  did  no  more  than  touch 
his  lips  to  his  glass,  upon  which  one  of  the 
company  rallied  him,  and  I  heard  him  say  he 
did  not  choose  to  drink  more. 

"Why  is  that,  sir?"  I  said,  pretending  to 
be  somewhat  gone  in  liquor. 

"I  try  to  avoid  giving  offence,"  he  said, 
very  pointedly,  "and  sometimes  if  I  am 
warmed  with  liquor  I  am  apt  to  blunder  out 
something  which  might  not  please." 

"Oh,  I  am  not  particular  as  to  my  com- 

240 


SPANISH    JOHN 


to 

am 
out 

hom- 


pany,  Mr.  Creach,"  I  said,  hoping  he  might 
take  me  up  on  the  name,  but  he  made  no 
move.  "I  am  a  peaceable  man  myself,  and 
promise  you  not  to  take  offence  at  anything, 
provided  you  apologize  immediately  after- 
wards. Now,  here's  a  health  I  cannot  let 
pass — to  my  host  of  last  night,  Rory  McDon- 
ald Fortymenruck !" 

He  drank  with  the  rest. 

I  began  again  at  once.  "  Here's  to  the 
Prince  and  his  better  fortunes,  and  a  curse  op 
any  one  who  plays  him  false  I" 

He  drank  this  too. 

I  was  thinking  out  something  more  pointed, 
when  he  stopped  me  by  asking  why  I  did  not 
propose  the  health  of  my  cousin,  Allan  Mc- 
Donald Knock. 

Here  was  an  opening  as  good  as  another, 
and  I  took  it. 

"  Is  he  a  friend  of  yours  ?" 

"  He  is,  sir." 

"Then,  sir,  I  do  not  drink  to  him,  because 
he  lies  under  grave  imputations." 

"And  pray,  sir,  what  may  they  be?"  he  asked. 

"  Oh,  I  only  have  them  on  hearsay,"  I  said, 
drawing  him  on. 


SPANISH    JOHN 


"  And  what  do  you  hear?" 

"  Only  that  he  is  a  coward  and  an  informer, 
and,  of  course,  a  scoundrel,  whose  health  any 
gentleman  would,  refuse  to  drink,"  I  answered, 
mighty  cool. 

"What!"  said  he;  "do  you  really  believe 
him  a  coward  ?" 

"  That  is  his  general  character." 

"  Then,  sir,"  said  he,  "  if  you  will  send  him 
a  challenge  I  will  bear  it,  and  if  he  will  not 
fight  you,  I  will." 

"  Oh,  do  not  trouble  yourself.  If  you  are 
anxious  for  fighting,  you  have  a  sword  by 
your  side,  and  so  have  I.  Why  lose  any  time  ? 
Out  with  you  at  once,  and  I  will  give  you 
all  the  fighting  you  can  stomach  between  this 
and  doomsday,"  and  I  made  as  if  I  would  rise. 

As  ti  matter  of  fact,  I  would  not  then  have 
fought  with  the  reptile  for  worlds,  but  since 
I  could  not  lay  hands  on  him,  it  was  some 
little  satisfaction  to  outface  him  before  his 
company,  and  I  made  no  objections  when  the 
others  interfered,  but  only  thought  that  Mr. 
Creach  had  added  a  long  bit  to  his  reckoning 
when  he  asked  me  to  drink  to  the  health  of 
Allan  Knock  in  the  inn  at  Portree. 

U2 


IX 


How  Father  O'Rourke  kept  the  Black  Pass ;  of  the  es- 
cape of  the  Prince  and  my  own  mischance  that  fol- 
lowed, but  of  how  the  Day  of  Reckoning  between  me 
and  Creach  came  at  last. 


We  felt  that  Skye  was  not  the  safest  place 
for  us  after  my  brush  with  Creach,  for,  with 
such  a  creature  in  leash  with  Allan  Knock,  no 
decent  man's  liberty  was  worth  a  rush  in 
days  when  a  whisper  was  sufficient  to  secure 
his  arrest,  so  we  made  our  trip  a  short  one 
and  returned  to  the  main-land. 

We  and  all  felt  relieved  that  the  Prince  had 
returned  from  the  Islands,  whither  he  had 
gone  much  against  the  wishes  of  his  best 
friends,  and  his  escape  might  have  been  ef- 
fected long  since  had  he  not  taken  wrong  ad- 
vice from  those  who  knew  nothing  of  the 
country.  And  if  I  may  criticize,  without 
blame  however.  His  Royal  Highness,  per- 
haps from  too  great  an  openness  in  his  own 

243 


srANiSIt    JOHN 


temper,  was  not  a  discerning  judge  of  those 
about  him,  many  of  whom  were  men  of  no 
character  whatever,  and  to-day  I  can  see  the 
truth  of  Father  O'Rourke's  words  which  I 
had  resented  so  heartily  in  Rome. 

But  such  advantage  as  he  now  gained  from 
being  amongst  his  friends  was  in  a  measure 
balanced  by  the  nearness  of  his  enemies,  and 
he  was  obliged  to  lie  exceeding  close,  and  at 
times  ran  narrow  chances  of  capture.  This 
was  the  more  evident  as  but  few  now  knew 
his  whereabouts,  and  while  on  the  Islands  his 
movements  were  known  so  wide  that  at  times 
I  have  been  tempted  to  think  it  was  possible 
the  English  were  not  in  truth  over  anxious 
for  his  capture.  Indeed,  I  cannot  think  what 
thev  would  have  done  with  him  had  he  fallen 

ft/ 

into  their  hands.  To  execute  him  would  be 
an  impossibility,  for  we  felt  such  a  murder  as 
that  of  King  Charles  was  something  the  civil- 
ized world  would  never  see  again,  and  the  hor- 
rid crimes  of  the  French  in  these  last  days 
were  as  then  undreamed  of;  and  to  imprison 
him  would  have  been  to  place  him  on  the 
highest  possible  pinnacle  of  martyrdom,  the 
last  thing  his  enemies  could  desire. 

244 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Be  this  as  it  may,  we  found  the  activity  of 
the  troops  had  been  greatly  increased,  and  it 
was  only  with  the  greatest  caution  we  could 
visit  Growlin ;  so  we  kept  moving  about  the 
country,  seldom  passing  two  nights  in  the 
same  place,  keeping  as  near  the  coast  as  possi- 
ble to  be  on  the  outlook  for  friendly  ships. 

We  soon  had  evidence,  too,  that  Creach 
was  at  work,  for  even  before  we  left  Skye  it 
was  clear  we  were  spied  upon,  and  now  it 
was  only  the  scarcity  of  troops  that  prevented 
him  and  Allan  Knock  from  carrying  out  their 
private  revenge.  "We  were  dogged  night  and 
day,  and  knew  an  attempt  would  be  made  upon 
us  the  moment  the  necessary  men  could  be 
spared  for  such  service. 


It  was  on  the  first  of  September  that  we 
got  news  of  a  vessel  off  the  coast,  near  Loch 
Carron,  where  we  were  then  hiding  on  a  prop- 
erty which  belonged  to  our  family,  and  we 
forthwith  sent  word  to  Glenaladale — Alexan- 
der McDonald — who  had  just  left  the  Prince 
in  charge  of  Cluny  Macpherson  among  the 
hills,  that  all  was  ready.  We  made  a  night' 
visit  to  Crowlin  and  bade  good-bye  to  my  fa- 

«45 


SPANISH    JOHN 


..j 


I' 


ther,  whom  I  never  expected  to  see  again  on 
earth,  while  over  the  sleeping  children  Father 
O'Rourke  said  a  prayer  in  Irish,  and  left  his 
blessing  on  the  house.  We  slipped  out  into 
the  night  again  and  made  our  way  to  the 
coast  to  find  that  the  vessel  had  gone  out  to 
sea,  but  had  signalled  she  would  stand  in 
again  after  dark  the  next  day. 

This  we  spent  most  anxiously  among  the 
hills.  We  knew  we  were  watched  in  every 
movement  and  an  attempt  would  be  made  to 
prevent  our  embarking,  if  possible;  and,  to  add 
to  our  anxiety,  word  was  brought  from  Glen- 
aladale  saying  he  had  no  knowledge  of  where 
the  Prince  was,  as  Cluny  had  moved  away 
from  the  hiding-place  he  last  knew,  but  that 
we  were  all  to  be  aboard  and  lie  to  until  the 
last  possible  hour  in  the  morning,  and  then,  if 
he  did  not  appear  with  the  Prince,  to  sail 
without  him,  instructing  any  other  vessel  spo- 
ken, to  stand  in  farther  to  the  south  near  Ari- 
soig,  so  he  might  prepare  and  get  word  into 
the  hills  in  time. 

Shortly  before  midnight  we  saw  the  signal 
of  a  red  light  low  on  the  water  shewn  twice 
for  a  moment,  and   made  our  way  to  the 

246 


SPANISH    JOHN 


in 


if 


beacb,  where  the  boats  met  us,  and  we  em- 
barked without  molestation.  We  found  her  to 
be  the  Alerte  privateer,  and  her  Captain  fully 
prepared  to  run  any  reasonable  risk  to  bring 
off  the  Prince.  "We  met  with  a  numerous 
company  of  gentlemen  and  some  ladies  on 
board,  who  had  been  picked  up  at  different 
points  along  the  coast,  and  together  we 
watched  in  the  greatest  anxiety  for  some  sig- 
nal from  the  shore;  but  our  hopes  vanished 
as  the  dawn  grew  stronger  in  the  east,  until 
we  could  not  justify  a  longer  delay,  and  made 
ready  to  return  in  our  boat,  which  we  had 
kept  alongside.  Such  was  their  devotion  that 
some,  when  they  heard  of  our  resolution, 
were  only  deterred  from  joining  us  by  my  as- 
surance that  I  was  charged  with  a  special 
commission  by  the  Duke,  and  their  presence 
would  only  endanger  the  safety  of  the  Prince 
as  well  as  our  own ;  on  this  they  allowed  us 
to  depart,  with  many  a  prayer  both  in  Gaelic 
and  English.  With  dull  anger  in  our  hearts 
we  climbed  the  hills,  eying  all  the  cover 
whence  we  knew  false  eyes  were  following  us; 
but  not  p>  bush  moved,  nor  was  there  a  sound, 
as  we  lay  on  the  open  hill-top  and  from  our 


I'  I 


•: : 


■■!  >: 


SPANISH    JOHN 

old  hidin.gj-place  saw  the  sun  redden  the  sails  of 
the  privateer  as  she  stood  on  her  way  tow- 
ards France  and  safety. 

Our  first  thought  was  to  get  back  to  Crow- 
lin,  for,  now  the  Prince  had  failed  to  appear, 
we  held  our  duty  was  to  my  father  until  an- 
other opportunity  offered. 

We  were  quite  unable  to  approach  the 
house  in  daylight,  as  it  lay  in  the  hollow  well 
open  to  observation ;  and  when  we  at  last 
made  our  way  down  and  entered,  we  were 
shockfed  at  the  change  that  had  taken  place 
in  my  father's  condition. 

"  It  was  a  kind  Providence  that  led  us  back, 
Giovannini,"  said  Father  O'Rourke,  as  we 
knelt  beside  the  plainly  dying  man,  "  for  these 
hours  will  mean  much  to  him  and  to  you  af- 
terwards." 

When  my  father  recovered  from  the  shock 
of  seeing  us,  it  was  with  the  greatest  thank- 
fulness I  saw  Father  O'Rourke  go  into  him 
alone,  and  when  he  appeared  again  his  face 
was  that  of  the  holy  man  he  was. 

"Now,  Giovannini,"  he  said,  "I  am  going 
to  your  cousin" — this  was  Dr.  McDonald,  of 

248 


H 

lit 
< 

go 
Q 

aQ 

Q 
Pi 
< 

O 
H 

O 

/I 


Ml 


SPAxNISH    JOHN 


Kylles — "for  I  have  done  all  that  is  in  my 
power  for  your  father.  He  wants  you  now, 
my  son,  and  he  wants  such  relief  as  the  Doc- 
tor may  perhaps  give  him." 

"  But,  Father,"  I  said,  "  that  is  impossible ; 
you  do  not  know  the  road  over  the  hills  well 
enough,  and  the  country  is  alive  with  troops 
you  can  never  pass." 

"  Nonsense,"  he  said,  with  a  short  laugh, 
"  I  can  pass  anything  on  a  night  such  as  this. 
Let  me  take  Neil  with  me,  and  we  will  be 
back  before  daybreak." 

Knowing  that  argument  was  useless,  I  sent 
for  Neil,  as  good  and  safe  a  man  as  there 
was  in  the  country,  and  who  spoke  English 
perfectly,  gave  him  his  directions  to  go  by 
the  Ghlaoh  Dubh  —  the  Black  Pass  —  saw 
they  both  were  well  armed  and  supplied 
with  cakes  and  whiskey,  bade  them  god- 
speed, and  then  turned  back  into  the  dark 
house. 


I 


The  poor  httle  ones,  soon  to  be  fatherless 
for  a  second  time,  were  sleeping  quietly,  know- 
ing nothing  of  the  great  sorrow  creeping  over 
them,  and  T  passed  on  into  the  chamber  of 

249 


\h. 


P»! 


SPANISH    JOHN 

death,  sending  old  Christie,  the  servant,  to 
keep  her  lonely  watch  in  the  kitchen. 

That  last  night  alone  with  ray  father  is  as 
distinct  to  me  to-day  as  if  it  were  but  just 
passed ;  it  is  full  of  things  that  are  sacred — 
too  sacred  to  be  written  about— and  at  the 
change  of  the  night  into  day,  I  closed  his  eyes 
and  prayed  over  his  remains  in  peace. 

When  I  could,  I  rose,  and,  calling  Christie, 
opened  the  door  softly  and  stole  out  into  the 
cool,  clearing  morning  air.  It  was  so  still  that 
a  great  peace  seemed  over  everything,  and 
only  the  cheep  of  distant  birds  came  to  me ; 
but  soon  I  made  out  a  moving  figure  on  the 
hill-side,  and,  remembering  Father  O'Rourke 
with  a  start,  I  set  off  and  hurried  to  meet  him. 
But  as  I  drew  nearer  I  could  make  out  that  it  was 
Neil  alone,  and  hurried  forward  much  alarmed, 
and,  as  I  saw  him  better,  my  fears  grew. 


He  was  running  at  his  best,  without  plaid  or 
bonnet,  and  when  we  met  all  he  could  gasp 
out  was,  "  Oh !  the  Soldier  Priest  I  the  Soldier 
Priest  I" 

"  Stop,  man !"  I  said,  sternly.  "  Neil,  Neil  1 
What  new  trouble  do  you  bring  ?" 

2m 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  He  is  dead !"  he  cried,  with  a  groan.  "  No, 
not  dead,  God  forgive  me !  but  dying  there 
alone,  and  him  the  finest  swordsman  I  ever 
stood  beside." 

"  Come !"  I  said,  and  he  turned  with  me, 
and  as  we  went  he  gave  out  his  story  in 
gasps : 

"The  Doctor  was  not  at  home.  Skulking 
in  the  hills  again.  We  left  our  message  and 
started  back.  Just  at  the  top  of  the  Black 
Pass  they  met  us,  and  he  never  thinking  of 
them  at  all!  An  officer  and  six  men.  We 
were  too  quick  for  them,  though,  and  had  our 
swords  out  and  our  backs  to  the  hill-side  be- 
fore they  could  stop  us. 

"  They  called  to  him  to  surrender,  taking 
him  to  be  you. 

" '  Come,  come,  Mr.  McDonell !'  says  the  of- 
ficer.  *  Give  up  your  sword  like  a  gentleman !' 

"And  oh!  Master  John!  With  his  death 
before  him  he  laughed.  And  what  do  you 
think  were  the  words  he  said?  'Sir,'  says 
he, '  I  never  knew  a  McDonell  yet  who  could 
give  up  his  sword  like  a  gentleman !' 

"  And  then  he  warned  the  officer  to  be  off 
and  leave  such  work  to  the  likes  of  Allan 

351 


SPANISH    JOHN 


Knock  and  Creach,  and  the  hot  words  flew 
back  and  forth  between  them  till  we  were  all 
at  it  together. 

"  He  ran  the  officer  through  as  cool  as  if  he 
was  at  practice ;  he  put  two  others  down,  and 
we  were  making  grand  play,  when  there  was 
a  flash,  and  down  he  went,  shot  like  a  dog ! 

"'Neil!  Neil!'  he  shouted,  'go,  for  the 
love  of  God  !'  and  I  broke  through  and  rolled 
over  the  side  of  the  cliff ;  but  by  God's  help  I 
caught  and  held  myself  just  when  I  thought 
I  was  lost.  And  I  held  there  while  they 
crawled  to  the  edge  and  threw  a  torch  down — 
making  sure  I  had  gone  with  the  stones  that 
rolled  till  they  struck  the  black  water  below — 
and  until  I  heard  them  gather  up  their  wound- 
ed and  tramp.  Then  I  climbed  to  the  top 
again,  and  left  him  only  when  I  found  he  was 
still  breathing,  and  remembered  he  meant  I 
was  to  carry  his  message  to  3'ou. 

"  Oh,  Master  John !  never,  never  did  man 
tight  better,  and  you  may  comfort  your  heart 
with  the  name  he  made  for  you  this  night." 

I  could  see  it  all  clearly:  that  scoundrel, Al- 
lan Knock,  set  on  by  Creach,  had  been  on  our 
track  ever  since  we  left  Skye,  and  knowing  of 


1 


I 


■  n 


'GIVE  UP  YOUR  SWORD  LIKE  A  GENTLEMAN 


SPANISH    JOHN 

our  return  from  the  ship  through  his  spies,  had 
thought  to  have  taken  me,  or  both  of  us,  at 
Crowlin  ;  the  rest  was  plain  from  Neil's  story, 
and  it  was  only  through  the  mistake  of  the 
English  captain  that  my  father  had  closed  his 
eves  in  mv  arms. 


By  the  goodness  of  God,  when  I  knelt  be- 
side the  man  so  dear  to  me,  I  found  him  still 
alive,  though  wounded  so  that  at  the  first 
sight  I  saw  even  to  rafse  him  meant  a  quicker 
death. 

The  moment  I  spoke  he  opened  his  eyes. 
"  Ah,  Giovannini,  my  son,"  he  said,  in  a  voice 
surprisingly  strong,  "  it  was  a  grand  fight !" 
And  then,  after  a  moment,  "  It  was  a  pretty 
fight  until  they  put  an  end  to  it  with  their 
shooting.  But,  poor  creatures,  I  drove  them 
to  it.  They  couldn't  get  in  at  me  in  any  oth- 
er way." 

"  Oh,  Father,"  I  cried,  "  why  didn't  you  tell 
them  who  you  were  ?" 

"  I've  been  borrowing  names  all  along,"  he 
said,  drowsily;  "tell  Lynch  I  kept  his.  I 
didn't  make  a  bad  use  of  yours  either,"  he 
said,  very  slowly,  and  seemed  to  doze. 

253 


1 


SPANISH   JOHN 


We  raised  his  head  more  and  oovered  him 
with  the  plaids. 

In  a  little  while  he'  woke  up  quite  clear. 
"  Giovannini,  lad,  what  of  things  at  home  ?" 

I  told  him,  and  he  muttered  a  short  prayer 
to  himself,  and  then  went  on  :  '^  I  am  thankful 
I  have  neither  kith  nor  kin,  and  not  a  soul  to 
give  a  thought  to  my  going  to-night  save 
yourself.  But  that  is  much — is  dear  to  me. 
What  claim  has  a  wandering  priest  save  on 
his  God,  and  your  being  with  me  is  the  excess 
of  His  goodness. 

"  Now  don't  be  fretting  about  the  way  ray 
end  has  come ;  it  was  as  much  God's  work  to 
bar  the  door  by  my  sword,  and  keep  the  fa- 
ther in  peace  with  the  son,  as  to  stand  beside 
His  Altar." 

And  then  the  drowsiness  began  to  steal  on 
him  again,  but  he  roused  himself  to  say,  as  if 
in  answer  to  my  sorrow,  "  Courage,  lad,  cour- 
age ;  the  sun  has  not  gone  because  a  rushlight 
is  snuffed  out." 

It  was  a  long  time  before  he  spoke  again, 
and  then  it  was  in  the  same  quiet  voice. 

"'Tis  a  strange  pass  to  come  to  a  man 
who  a  few  years  ago  thought  of  nothing 

8M 


SPANISH    JOHN 

more  dangerous  than  the  sunny  side  o'  a 
street!  But,  do  you  know,  I  always  belif  ved 
I  had  a  bit  of  the  soldier  in  me.  Many  a 
time  have  my  fingers  itched  for  a  sword-hilt 
when  I  thought  I  might  have  done  more  than 
praying,  and  now  it  has  been  given  to  me, 
and  I  have  done  it  well.  I  can  say  with  St. 
Paul,  *  I  have  fought  a  good  fight '  (Bonum 
certamen  certavi) "— and  these  were  the  last 
words  that  brave  heart  said  on  earth. 

We  bore  him  home  to  Crowlin  on  our 
shoulders,  and  laid  him  and  my  father  side 
by  side  in  the  one  grave,  where  my  tears 
and  those  of  the  children  fell  on  both 
alike. 


Broken  as  I  was  in  every  way,  I  had  to 
think  and  act,  for  the  same  necessities  were 
before  me.  So  after  seeing  my  uncles,  Allan 
and  Alexander,  the  nearest  relations  left  to 
the  children,  and  making  some  provision  for 
their  safety,  I  returned  again  to  the  coast 
near  Loch  Carron,  for  I  could  now  move  with 
greater  freedom  until  such  time  as  the  real 
facts  of  my  supposed  death  at  the  Black  Pass 
might  be  discovered. 

255 


SPANISH    JOlliV 

Kot  more  than  ton  days  went  by  before 
I  had  news  of  two  ships  hanging  off  the  land, 
and  I  arranged  to  board  them  should  they 
come  close  enough  to  signal.  This  they  did, 
and  I  found  them  to  be  the  Princesse  de  Conti 
and  Vllereux,  from  St.  Maloes,  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  "Warren,  of  Dillon's  Regi- 
ment, expressly  come  and  determined  to  carry 
the  Prince  back  with  him  at  all  hazards. 

I  told  him  of  our  disappointment  of  the 
Alerte,  and,  in  accordance  with  the  instruc- 
tions from  Glenaladale,  we  stood  south  for 
Arisoig,  and  I  was  put  on  shore  near  Loch-na- 
Neugh.  I  found  Glenaladale  without  difficul- 
ty, but  to  our  uneasiness  there  was  still  the 
same  uncertainty  about  the  Prince;  and  at 
first  the  search  brought  no  result,  but  by 
chance  he  got  the  information  necessary,  and 
the  joyful  news  of  the  vessels'  arrival  was  car- 
ried in  all  haste  to  the  "  Wanderer." 


It  was  late  at  night — the  night  of  the  nine- 
teenth of  September — when  we  came  to  Boro- 
dale,  where  a  numerous  company  had  gath- 
ered awaiting  him.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Lochiel,  now  nearly  recovered,  his  brother  the 

356 


SPANISH    JOHN 


►efote 
land, 
they 
J  did, 
Conti 
com- 
Regi- 
carry 

>f  the 
istruc- 
th  for 
)ch-na- 
ifficul- 
ill  the 
nd  at 
ut  by 
,  and 
s  car- 


nine- 
Boro- 

gath- 
led  by 
ler  the 


Doctor,  and  others ;  but  ray  heart  was  sore 
when  I  heard  of  the  condition  he  was  in,  al- 
though far  better  than  what  he  had  known 
for  months.  However,  Glenaladale  said  he 
was  in  grand  health  and  spirits,  and  clean 
linen,  a  tailor,  and  a  barber,  would  soon 
change  him  into  as  gallant  a  looking  gentle- 
man as  ever  stepped  in  the  Three  Kingdoms. 

I  could  not  go  near  the  house,  and  begged 
Glenaladale  not  to  mention  my  name  to  the 
Prince  until  they  sailed,  and  then  only  that 
the  Duke  might  know  I  had  at  least  kept  my 
promise  not  to  leave  Scotland  while  the  Prince 
was  in  danger.  My  trouble  was  too  heavy 
upon  me  for  the  drinking  of  healths,  and  I 
had  no  heart  for  the  framing  of  encourage- 
ments. 

From  where  I  sate  I  could  see  the  lighted 
windows  in  the  house  darken  as  figures  cross- 
ed them.  I  could  even  catch  faint  snatches  of 
song,  and  with  some  envy  in  my  heart  for 
those  who  could  so  rejoice,  when  behind  them 
was  ruin  and  before  only  the  uncertain  safety 
of  the  two  ships  I  could  faintly  make  out 
against  the  dark  waters  of  the  Loch.  As  for 
me,  the  whole  world  seemed  closing  down  in 
R  257 


i 


SPANISH    JOHN 

the  darkness,  and  I  could  see  no  cheer  and  no 
light  beyond.  My  thougrits  were  the  formless 
thoughts  of  a  hopeless  man,  and  they  were 
my  only  companions  till  the  dawn  broke  and 
the  embarkation  began. 

Then  my  broken  thoughts  took  shape* 
What  place  had  I  among  these  men?  They 
had  fought,  and,  if  they  had  lost,  had  lost  gal- 
lantly, without  reproach,  and  were  still  about 
their  leader,  while  I  had  never  even  drawn 
my  sword  for  the  Cause  I  loved  as  truly  as 
any  of  them  all,  and  my  efforts  had  only  end- 
ed in  failure  in  every  particular.  I  was  a 
broken  man,  and  the  best  friend  I  had  in  the 
world  was  lying,  murdered  for  my  sake,  in  his 
unconsecrated  grave  at  Crowlin. 

Those  were  the  blackest  hours  that  ever 
had  come  to  me,  and  I  would  not  wish  my 
worst  enemy  to  pass  through  the  like. 

I  counted  over  one  hundred  who  passed  to 
the  ships  until  the  Prince,  Lochiel,  and  their 
immediate  following  appeared.  Then  I  rose 
and  stood  bareheaded,  and  I  remember  it 
was  in  the  Gaelic  my  mother  had  taught  me 
that  the  words  came  when  I  prayed  aloud  for 
his  safety.    Poor,  ill-fated,  Bonnie,  Bonnie 

258 


SPANISH    JOHN 

Prince  Charlie  I  All  the  gallantry,  all  the 
fortitude,  all  the  sensibility  with  which  God 
Almighty  ever  dowered  human  creature  had 
been  shewn  forth  by  him  from  the  hour  his 
misfortune  came  upon  him,  in  a  measure  that 
redeemed  his  former  faults,  and  should  blot 
out  all  that  followed  the  day  he  sailed  from 
Loch-na-Neugh. 

Bareheaded  I  stood  and  watched  BHereux 
and  the  Princesse  de  Conti  get  under  weigh, 
until  I  could  not  bear  to  look  at  them  longer 
and  threw  myself  face  downwards  amid  the 
heather. 

At  length  sleep  came  to  me,  and  when  1 
awoke  the  quiet  of  the  night  was  again  about 
me,  and  I  rose  and  took  my  way  alone. 


i  to 
heir 
ose 
it 
me 
for 
nie 


I  now  settled  myself  at  Loch  Carron,  and 
was  visited  by  such  as  know  of  my  where- 
abouts, who  did  what  they  could  to  raise  my 
spirits,  and,  amongst  others,  by  Dr.  McDonald, 
of  Kylles. 

One  afternoon,  when  out  fishing  with  him 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Loch,  we  were  sur- 
prised by  the  appearance  round  a  headland  of 
a  sloop  of  war,  which  we  at  once  recognized 

259 


SPANISH    JOHN 


as  the  Porcupine^  Captain  Ferguson,  well 
known  on  the  coast  for  his  activity  in  the  ap- 
prehension of  suspected  Jacobites. 

To  attempt  to  escape  was  only  to  invite 
pursuit  and  ensure  certain  capture,  so  we  put 
a  bold  face  on  the  matter,  and  the  Doctor, 
without  hesitation,  stood  up  and  signalled  to 
her  with  his  hat. 

"Ferguson  will  not  molest  me,  if  he  has 
any  bowels  at  all,  for  J.  did  him  a  good  turn 
this  summer  when  I  set  his  arm  for  him  ijji 
Knoidart,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"That  is  all  very  well,  but  what  of  me?" 
I  asked.  "  I  am  in  no  state  to  go  on  board. 
I  am  dressed  like  a  ploughman." 

"  Well !  what  better  would  you  wish  ?  You 
have  nothing  to  do  but  hold  your  tongue,  for 
you  don't  know  a  word  of  English.  I'll  tell 
Ferguson  I  am  short  of  lemons  and  sugar,  and 
appeal  to  him  not  to  drive  me  to  drinking  my 
whiskey  pure.  I  know  the  idea  of  a  rebel 
coming  on  board  a  King's  ship  on  such  an  er- 
rand will  tickle  his  fancy,  for  he  is  not  such  a 
monster  as  they  report.  In  any  case,  we  can 
do  nothing  else." 

There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  go  on,  and 

260 


SPANISH    JOHN 


in  truth  the  matter  did  not  appear  in  any 
way  serious,  so  1  rowed  on  towards  the  sloop, 
which  was  coining  up  smartly,  and  before 
many  minutes  we  were  alongside,  the  Doctor 
shouting  out  his  instructions  to  me  in  Gaelic. 

It  turned  out  much  as  he  had  said,  for  Cap- 
tain Ferguson  laughed  heartily  when  he  whis- 
pered his  message,  and  invited  him  into  his 
cabin  to  have  a  glass  together,  whilst  I  waited 
on  deck. 

I^Tow,  unfortunately,  the  Doctor  had  a  strong 
taste  for  conviviality,  which  was  part  reat-on 
why  his  story  of  the  lemons  was  so  easily 
swallowed,  and  one  glass  followed  another, 
until  I  could  see  that  he  was  getting  well  into 
his  cups. 

I  was  anxious  to  be  away,  and  so  ventured 
to  speak  to  him  at  the  door,  saying,  by  way  of 
excuse,  that  the  weather  looked  threatening; 
but  he  only  pooh-poohed  the  matter,  and  I 
saw  he  was  further  gone  than  I  supposed,  and 
so  spoke  with  more  sharpness  than  I  intended. 

"  That's  a  pretty  kind  of  servant,  'pon  my 
word  1"  said  the  Captain. 

"  Servant,  indeed !"  snorted  the  Doctor,  to 
my  dismay.    "  Servant,  indeed  I    He's  as  good 

861 


SPANISH    JOHN 


a  gentleman  as  I  am !"  and  then,  sobered  at 
once,  as  it  flashed  across  his  fuddled  brain 
what  his  words  might  mean,  he  went  on,  ear- 
nestly :  "  You  know.  Captain,  in  the  High- 
lands service  does  not  necessarily  mean  that 
a  man  is  not  a  gentleman.  Why  I  have 
known — "  but  the  Captain  cut  him  short  with : 

"Come,  come,  Doctor,  you  can't  throw 
dust  in  ray  eyes.  'Tis  bad  enough  to  have 
you  here  imposing  on  me  on  your  own  ac- 
count, but  I  will  have  no  tricks  v- ith  unknown 
gentlemen  who  choose  to  run  their  necks  into 
the  noose." 

The  poor  Doctor  was  completely  over- 
whelmed with  his  blunder,  and  only  made 
matters  worse  with  every  word  he  uttered; 
but  I  refused  to  open  my  mouth,  and  was  not 
sorry  when  they  put  him  over  the  side  of  the 
ship  and  we  saw  him  drifting  fast  astern,  still 
lamenting. 

The  Captain  then  turned  to  me.  "Now, 
sir,"  said  he,  "  'tis  an  unpleasant  duty  to  de- 
tain you,  but  I  will  make  your  detention  as 
easy  as  may  be.  Of  course,  if  you  care  to 
explain  who  you  are,  and  can  prove  to  me 
that  you  are  innocent  and  your  representa- 

263 


SPANISH    JOHN 


tions  correct,  I  will  put  you  on  shore ;  if  not, 
you  will  go  with  us  to  Skye,  where  I  will  cer- 
tainly obtain  information,  so  you  will  gain 
little  by  your  silence." 

However,  I  did  not  see  fit  to  answer  him, 
and  only  stared  as  if  I  did  not  understand 
a  word. 

"  Very  well,"  said  he,  "  if  you  will  play  the 
servant  you  will  live  forward ;  when  you 
choose  to  declare  yourself  a  gentleman,  I  will 
treat  you  as  leniently  as  I  may." 

So  forward  I  went,  and  gained  but  little  by 
my  obstinacy  except  uncomfortable  quarters 
and  rough  company,  for  we  made  fop  Sleat, 
and  there  were  boarded  by  Allan  Knock.  The 
Captain  was  convinced  he  had  secured  Baris- 
dale  in  my  person,  but  Knock  was  forced  to 
declare  that  he  was  wrong  in  this,  though  he 
could  not  name  me;  but  the  next  day  he  re- 
turned ;yith  Creach,  before  whom  I  was  pa 
raded  like  a  beast  on  market-day. 

The  game  was  up  now,  but  I  did  not  care 
to  speak;  indeed,  I  had  nothing  to  say  be- 
fore such  a  scoundrel.  Words  were  not  what 
I  counted  on  to  settle  my  reckoning  with 
him. 

268 


SPANISH    JOHN 

After  they  left,  Ferguson  came  up  to  where 
I  was  sitting  on  deck. 

"  You  are  my  prisoner,  Mr.  McDonell,"  said 
he. 

"On  what  authority,  sir ?'*  said  I. 

"Oh,  ho!  You  can  talk  English,  I  find," 
he  laughed. 

"  Yes,  and  perhaps  more  than  you  may  rel- 
ish, Captain  Ferguson,"  I  replied;  "and  if 
Enghsh  be  not  sufficient,  I  have  one  or  two 
other  tongues  beside.  Now,  there  is  no  use  in 
trying  to  frighten  me ;  I  have  gone  through 
too  much  for  that.  I  am  an  officer  in  the 
Spanish  service,  and  have  not  drawn  sword  in 
this  quarrel,  and  if  you  detain  me  without 
any  authority  or  warrant  beyond  the  words 
of  this  creature  who  has  just  left,  I  warn  you 
your  action  is  unjustifiable  and  will  be  most 
strictly  inquired  into." 

"  Now,  now,  Mr,  McDonell,  don't  try  any 
of  your  hectoring  with  me,"  he  returned. 
"  You  can  make  your  complaints  when  you 
see  London." 

"  Well,  then,  London  let  it  be.  I  have  al- 
ways had  a  mind  to  visit  it,"  I  answered, 
shortly,  and  thereupon  our  talk  ended. 


'  < 


1 1' 


SPANISH    JOHN 


I  will  do  him  justice  to  say  he  treated  me 
with  much  civility  during  the  four  weeks  I 
was  on  board  the  Porcupine — very  different 
treatment  from  what  I  received  at  the  hands 
of  Captain  Gardner,  to  whom  he  handed  me 
over  in  the  Sound  of  Mull.  But  this  he  apol- 
ogized for  before  I  left  him,  saying  he  had 
only  acted  under  orders,  as  otherwise,  could 
he  have  followed  his  inclination,  I  would  have 
been  of  his  mess. 

However,  I  will  not  dwell  on  these  person- 
al inconveniences,  and  only  record  a  kindness 
received  from  Mr.  Maitland,  a  midshipman  on 
board.  "When  orders  were  received  from  Edin- 
burgh to  land  me  at  Fort  William,  I  took  leave 
of  Captain  Gardner  without  any  hard  feeling 
on  either  side,  and  placed  myself  in  the  boat 
ordered  to  convey  me  on  shore.  The  sailors, 
who  were  Irish,  pitying  my  situation,  said,  in 
that  language,  if  I  broke  away  when  I  was 
landed,  they  would  take  good  care  no  balls 
would  reach  me.  But  I  thanked  them,  in  the 
same  tongue,  and  assured  them  I  was  in  no 
danger. 

On  taking  leave  of  Mr.  Maitland  he  said,  in 
French,  '^  I  suppose  you  know,  Mr.  McDonell, 

966 


r 


SPANISH    JOHN 

to  whom  you  are  indebted  for  this  ?  To  Allan 
McDonald  Knock." 

"  Thank  you  a  thousand  times  for  your  in- 
terest," I  returned,  "  but  I  know  that  al- 
ready." 

I  was  accordingly  imprisoned  in  Fort  Will- 
iam, but  suffered  little,  save  from  the  confine- 
ment, which  lasted  over  four  months,  when, 
by  the  exertions  of  my  sister  Margaret  and 
her  protector.  Lady  Jane  Drummond,  I  was 
released. 


I  then  returned  to  Knoidart,  but  shortly 
after,  hearing  that  Allan  Knock  was  at  Glen- 
elg,  I  took  Neil  and  Duncan,  his  half-brother, 
and  started  for  that  place. 

Things  fell  out  better  than  I  had  expected, 
for,  by  what  I  have  always  held  to  be  a  direct 
Providence,  no  less  an  enemy  than  Creach 
himself  was  delivered  into  my  hands  when  I 
least  looked  for  it.  I  was  on  my  vva}^  to  Glen- 
elg,  as  I  say,  to  meet  with  Knock,  and  nev- 
er thought  to  meet  with  the  greater  villain, 
Creach,  in  the  country,  as  I  knew  he  must  be 
aware  of  my  release,  and  that  he  would  not 
be  safe  within  my  reach.    But,  by  what  I  am 

366 


SPANISH    JOHN 


not  impious  enough  to  name  a  chance,  when 
in  the  house  of  one  of  our  own  people  I  heard 
of  him  being  in  the  neighborhood,  and  so  laid 
wait  in  a  place  by  which  I  knew  he  must  pass, 
safe  from  interruption  or  observation. 

When  he  and  his  three  men  came  up,  we 
rose,  and,  planting  ourselves  in  the  way,  called 
a  halt. 

I  have  spoken  before  of  his  address,  and 
even  now  it  did  not  fail  him,  for  I  could  mark 
no  sign  of  surprise  on  his  white  face;  he 
might  have  come  to  a  rendezvous  for  all  he 
shewed. 

I  spoke  at  once  to  his  men  in  Gaelic,  who 
held  themselves  ready  for  attack  the  moment 
we  appeared. 

"  Skye  men !  I  am  a  McDonell,  of  Glen- 
garry. I  and  mine  have  no  quarrel  with  you, 
but  this  gentleman  and  I  have  a  matter  of 
blood  between  us.  Take  no  part  in  it,  then, 
for  it  is  no  affair  of  yours,  and  it  will  not  be 
stayed  in  any  case." 

Then,  either  because  they  had  small  stom- 
ach for  useless  fighting,  or,  what  is  the  more 
likely,  that  they  saw  it  was  a  private  matter 
and  did  not  touch  their  honour,  they  drew 


SPANISH    JOHN 


to  one  side  in  silence  with  Neil  and  Dun- 
can. 

Creach  understood  what  I  was  at,  and  as  I 
threw  off  my  coat  and  vest  he  did  the  like. 

A  fierce  joy  was  rising  in  me.  "Come, 
sir !"  I  said,  and  he  fell  into  position. 

He  was  a  good  swordsman  enough,  but  my 
wrist  was  of  iron  and  my  heart  of  fire,  and 
the  tinkle  and  grate  of  the  steel  was  like  mu- 
sic to  my  ear. 

He  was  fighting  for  time,  waiting  to  see  my 
play,  and  parried  with  great  judgment,  but 
at  last  I  reached  in  at  him  and  touched  him 
above  the  right  breast. 

"That  is  for  Aquapendente !"  I  cried,  in 
satisfaction,  as  I  saw  the  stain  grow  and  red- 
den on  his  shirt. 

In  a  little  I  touched  him  again,  on  the  op- 
posite side.  "That  is  for  Rome!"  and  I  was 
completely  master  of  myself,  for  I  held  his  life 
in  my  hands,  like  a  ball,  to  throw  away  when  I 
pleased. 

He  said  not  a  word,  but  fought  on  with  the 
same  courage,  but  it  was  hopeless.  Again  I 
got  in  at  him  just  where  I  had  planned,  and 
shouted  in  my  joy,  "  That  is  for  Loch  Broom !" 

268 


,^  * 

\ 

-J 

■y  '^\ 

V 

,    ■' ■^. 

. 

ife.'^'^X 


fN  ':t ., 


F^  >:s  '■'-^ 


jj. 


f 


c 

o 
5 

B 


SPANISH    JOHN 


t 


Up  to  this  time  he  had  not  shewn  the 
slightest  sign  of  faltering,  hut  now  in  a  sud- 
den move  backwards  he  struck  his  heel  sharp- 
ly and  staggered  wide.  I  could  have  run  him 
through  with  the  greatest  ease,  but  I  was  not 
ready  for  that  as  yet.  He  regained  his  feet, 
but  to  my  dismay  and  surprise  the  shock  had 
broken  his  courage,  like  a  glass  that  is  shat- 
tered, and  he  fenced  so  wildly  that  I  withheld 
from  attack,  hoping  he  would  recover.  In- 
stead of  this  he  only  grew  worse,  until,  losing 
hope  of  any  betterment,  I  locked  his  sword, 
and  with  a  sudden  turn  broke  it  short  off. 
With  a  groan,  the  first  sound  he  had  uttered, 
he  fell,  and  covered  his  face  with  his  hands. 

I  stood  over  him,  and  had  he  screamed  or 
made  a  move  I  would  have  ended  it  then  and 
there.  But  I  could  not  kill  the  creature  lying, 
waiting  his  fate  in  mute  terror  at  my  feet, 
though  for  months  I  had  longed  for  this  mo- 
ment above  all  things  else  in  the  world. 

"  Get  up,  you  coward !"  I  said,  but  he  made 
no  move.  Suddenly  I  threw  ray  sword  down, 
and,  stepping  towards  him,  drew  my  dirk,  at 
which  he  screamed  and  prayed  for  mercy  with 
shrieks  of  terror. 

269 


SPANISH    JOHN 

"  Have  no  fear,  you  dog !  I  am  not  going 
to  put  murder  on  my  soul  for  a  "wretch  such 
as  you  I  But  I  will  mark  you  so  that  you 
will  be  a  by-word  amongst  men  for  the  rest 
of  your  days !" 

Whereupon  I  seized  him,  and,  despite  his 
screams  and  struggles,  with  two  clean  sweeps 
I  cut  off  his  ears  close  to  his  head. 

Leaving  him  rolling  on  the  ground,  I  called 
Neil  and  bade  him  bind  up  his  wounds. 
Then,  placing  his  ears  in  my  silver  snuff-box,  I 
threw  it  to  him.  "  Take  these  to  your  fellow- 
spy,  and  tell  him  whose  hand  did  this  I  Tell 
him,  too,  that  his  own  run  much  danger  of  a 
like  fate  if  they  hear  aught  he  may  ever 
be  tempted  to  repeat  to  the  harm  of  me  or 
mine  I" 


1 


; 


My  story  is  told.  I  did  meet  with  Allan 
Knock,  and  I  did  not  cut  off  his  ears ;  but  I 
poured  into  them  words  that  made  him  wish 
he  had  been  born  without. 


^ 


Because  I  have  lived  on  into  a  time  that 
has  changed  much  from  what  I  knew  in  those 
days,  I  have  sometimes  felt  I  should  have 

270 


S1>ANISH    JOHN 

may  now  be  looked  on  as  barbarous.    But 
those  who  know  will  „nde,.ta„d,  and  thle 
who  do  not,  I  must  leave  to  thei    prejud^Te 
Ii:a.^totellth.^asthe.wL;^2 


y 


fj 


Fims 


